The administration of US President George W. Bush said it “strongly opposes” a bill approved by the US House of Representatives last week aimed at prodding the administration into ending its freeze on arms sales to Taiwan, saying the bill would impose unconstitutional requirements on the executive branch and harm the president’s foreign policy-making authority.
In letters to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman sent on Tuesday, the departments of state and justice criticized the bill’s provisions requiring the administration to give regular detailed briefings to Congress on its plans for arms sales to Taiwan and any discussions with Taiwan officials. The letters were sent the same day the House approved the bill by a voice vote without objections.
Meanwhile, prospects that the sales could get through the necessary congressional notification process this year appeared to die on Friday, which was to have been the final day of the two-year 110th Congress’ term, with congressional sources saying the administration had yet to begin the first steps in the process, which must precede the formal notification.
Of course, as I did say previously, this bill is really symbolic and had virtually no chance of actual success as a bill. But the point remains: it's a reminder, a jab, and a critique of the current stalling on arms to Taiwan, and I think it was necessary as a message.
In a "through-the-looking-glass" sort of twist, the KMT and Ma say they are resolved to acquire defensive arms from the US.
Is this a sign of the Apocalypse? I'm tempted to say yes! I mean, really, do the KMT and I actually -- for once -- declare that we actually want the same thing? OMG! But, as long as Taiwan gets its full complement of missiles, submarines, helicopters, etc. and gets them while they may still be of use, I can live with the weirdness.
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