2011-06-08 (China Military News cited from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/7/pressure-builds-for-sale-of-f-16-jets-to-taiwan/">Washington Times and written by Bill Gertz) -- Congress is stepping up pressure on the Obama administration to sell more F-16 jet fighters to Taiwan as the island’s air defenses deteriorate and China’s air power grows.
Sen. John Cornyn, a leading advocate for efforts to bolster Taiwan’s defenses as well as to keep a U.S. production line open for new F-16s, said Tuesday that the shifting military balance across the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait is increasing the danger of a conflict that could involve the United States.
“While the administration dithers on Taiwan’s request for F-16s, evidence continues to mount that what Taiwan desperately needs to restore the cross-strait balance and regain the ability to defend its own airspace is new fighter aircraft to bolster an air force that is borderline obsolete,” the Texas Republican and Armed Services Committee member said in the Senate.
“The repercussions of a rising and potentially aggressive China, able to dominate the airspace over Taiwan, demands the attention of our military planners, government officials and members of Congress because it opens the door for China to use force against Taiwan.”
In the House, Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, California Republican, also supports the sale of 66 new F-16C/D model jets to Taiwan because the island’s air forces are declining.
“We have an obligation under the Taiwan Relations Act, and we should honor it. But let’s be realistic: The sale of these aircraft is good for the U.S. industrial base as well,” Mr. McKeon said.
Outgoing Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates sidestepped a reporter’s question last week on whether he supports selling new F-16s to Taiwan. Mr. Gates, on his way to an Asian defense conference, said the George W. Bush and Obama administrations tried to abide by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. But he also said U.S. law was balanced by efforts to address “Chinese sensitivities.” Beijing opposes arms sales to the independent island nation that China regards as its territory.
Asked specifically about sales of new F-16s, Mr. Gates, who leaves the Pentagon on June 30, said, “I don’t have a view on that at this point.”
His spokesman said later that “when the time is needed for him to have a view of any proposed weapons sale, Secretary Gates will have one, but no such decision has been teed up for review yet.”
Defense officials said the Obama administration is delaying any new U.S. arms sales to Taiwan to avoid upsetting military relations with Beijing, which has cut off military ties with the U.S. twice in the past three years. Last year, Beijing halted military relations to protest a $6.4 billion arms package of missiles and helicopters to Taiwan. Ties were restarted last month with the visit to the U.S. by Gen. Chen Bingde, the Chinese army’s chief of staff.
The Senate has two opportunities to press the administration on arms sales.
