AP: Obama to sell weapons to Taiwan

[Nagishkaw 510]

In a move that is certain to worsen relations with Beijing, the Obama administration has decided to sell new weapons to Taiwan, congressional sources have told the Associated Press.

The mainland considers the island — where nationalists fled after being defeated by the communists in 1949 — a renegade province that must eventually reunite under the "one China" policy.

AP writes that the sale is likely to include UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and military communications equipment. But F-16 fighter jets are not likely to be included.

The administration has been consulting with Congress ahead of a formal announcement of the sale, said the sources, whom the AP says "have direct knowledge of the meetings.

Earlier this month, Beijing warned Washington not to proceed with the sale, which Congress approved more than a year ago.

"The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan infringe upon China's security interest as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and interfere with China's internal affairs," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in a statement.

In October 2008, the Bush administration announced a $6.5 billion weapons package for Taiwan that included Apache attack helicopters, Patriot III anti-missile missiles, Harpoon missiles, Javelin missiles, upgrades for Taiwan's E-2T aircraft and spare parts for Taiwan's air force.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/on...ons-to-taiwan/1

[Pooky 3,784]

"The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan infringe upon China's security interest as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and interfere with China's internal affairs," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in a statement.

And China's military rearmament doesn't infringe upon Taiwan's security interest as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and interfere with Taiwan's internal affairs?

How strange

[Peikko 1,575]

Weapons sales are the root of all evil...and not just when Democratic policians sanction it

[alienlovechild 75]

Weapons sales are the root of all evil...and not just when Democratic policians sanction it

The U.S. shouldn't have given any weapons under the Lend-Lease Act to the UK by that standard.

Here again we've got a rising power threatening a peaceful island nation with a democratic government that wants to defend itself. There's your evil.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Just glad we are selling them and not given another mindless handout.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Weapons sales are the root of all evil...

No, Picasso is.

[Peikko 1,575]

No, Picasso is.

Seems you have a point. Who'd have thought?