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Transcript: Armitage Says U.S. Does Not Support Taiwan Independence
(Armitage also discusses South Asia, nonproliferation, terrorism)

The United States does not support independence for
Taiwan, says Deputy Secretary of State Richard
Armitage.

In an August 26 news conference in Beijing, Armitage
told reporters that while Taiwan is one of the
questions where Washington and Beijing have a
difference of opinion, the U.S. approach to relations
with Taiwan is based on our One-China Policy, the
Three Communiqués, and the Taiwan Relations Act.

Armitage added that U.S. policies and actions are
predicated on the Beijing regimes continuation of
the policy of peaceful resolution of the question.

The United States expects that the policy of peaceful
resolution regarding Taiwan will continue to be the
policy of the Peoples Republic of China, he said.

Armitage told reporters that cooperation between the
United States and China in the field of
counter-terrorism is good. He noted that the United
States and China will be participating in a meeting on
terrorist financing and are about to have a
discussion about container handling security and
container security.

Regarding North Korea, Armitage said both the United
States and China share an interest in continued
stability on the peninsula of Korea.

Armitage noted that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing had briefed his delegation on Chinas
promulgation of missile-related export control
regulations and Chinas plans to strictly enforce
these new rules and regulations.

Armitage said the United States welcomed the news,
and added that the regulations are modeled on the
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines.

Turning to South Asia, Armitage said he thanked his
Chinese counterparts for the strenuous efforts of
President Jiang Zemin, along with Russian President
Putin, in Almaty earlier this year to lower the
tensions between India and Pakistan.

I dont think theres any difference of opinion on
the absolute need to contain the tensions and try to
bring about a better situation, Armitage said. We
know the historical relationships between China and
Pakistan.

We did note that the present relationship between
India and China is better than it has been in the past
and we certainly expect that to continue, Armitage
said. For our part, we are going to continue to
consult closely with the Chinese as we move forward
and continue our involvement surrounding the tensions
in that region.

Following is a transcript of Armitages August 26 news
conference in Beijing:

(begin transcript)

Transcript of
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage
Press Conference - Conclusion of China Visit

Beijing, China
August 26, 2002

ARMITAGE: I just completed a very full day of
positive discussion with Chinese leaders. My primary
focus was on making preparations for the meeting
between Presidents Bush and Jiang in Crawford
scheduled for October 25. My meetings included calls
on Vice President Hu Jintao, Vice Premier Qian Qichen,
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, my host Vice Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxing, Deputy Chief of the General
Staff General Xiong Guangkai.

In these talks, we discussed a wide range of bilateral
and regional issues. With Vice Minister Li, we
reviewed our cooperation and recent exchanges on
counter-terrorism, human rights and religious freedom,
nonproliferation, and regional and economic issues.
Vice Minister Li briefed us on Chinas promulgation of
missile-related export control regulations and Chinas
plans to strictly enforce these new rules and
regulations. We welcomed the news. On human rights
and religious freedom, we discussed ways in which we
in the U.S. hope to convert these irritants to a more
positive force in U.S.-China relations. Vice Minister
Li and I spent a significant amount of time discussing
South Asia, including my just-concluded visit to Sri
Lanka, India, and Pakistan. These talks were aimed at
continuing to lower the tensions and promote peace and
stability in that very important region.

As you can imagine, my calls on Foreign Minister Tang,
Vice Premier Qian, and Vice President Hu were
especially important for underscoring the broad areas
in which our two great nations cooperate on a daily
basis. I am encouraged by all my Chinese hosts
strong commitment to standing with us in the
international fight against terrorism. In each call,
we talked of opportunities and shared hopes for
stronger relations in the future. Of course, we also
exchanged views on areas in which we did not see eye
to eye. On every issue, these exchanges were
constructive as well as candid.

QUESTION: Is there any linkage between your visit and
the ongoing Iraqi Foreign Minister visit to China?
Did you have an exchange of views with the Chinese
officials that you met on the Iraq issue? Thank you.

ARMITAGE: There was nothing but coincidence in the
Iraqi Foreign Ministers and my visit here. I was
informed by our Chinese friends here this morning that
the Iraqi foreign minister was in town.

I think the second part of your question was, did the
Chinese and I exchange views on Iraq? Yes, we did.

QUESTION: My question is about whether you have
talked with the Chinese leaders about the Taiwan
issue. Do you think Chen Shuibians one side and one
country opinion will have some bad influence on
President Jiang Zemins visit to the U.S. Thank you.

ARMITAGE: Well, of course we discussed the issue of
Taiwan. In my opening statement I referred to issues
on which we agreed and issues on which we didnt
agree. Of course its well known that we dont
entirely agree on the issue of Taiwan. The statements
of President Chen Shuibian on August 3rd were a
subject of our discussions. The U.S. view has been
put forward by spokesmen from the State Department and
the White House. That is that the U.S. does not
support Taiwan independence and I dont think that
those statements of August 3rd will in any way
interfere with the third summit between President Bush
and President Jiang Zemin.

QUESTION: Could you please tell us the substance of
your talks with the Vice President, Hu Jintao?

ARMITAGE: In general I can. We exchanged
pleasantries and mutual respects between the Vice
President and our Vice President, Dick Cheney. Vice
President Cheney has accepted a return visit under the
invitation of Vice President Hu Jintao for some time
in the future. I was able to convey his best respects
and good wishes. We did talk about the Taiwan
question. We talked at length about areas in which we
not only can cooperate but areas in which we need to
cooperate, such as the World Summit on Sustainable
Development which is going to take place in
Johannesburg. We also talked about South Asia and the
absolute need for China and the U.S. to continue our
efforts to try to contain the difficulties and lower
the tensions.

QUESTION: On the subject of proliferation, now that
China has published these export controls and the list
of dual-use technologies subject to restriction, will
the U.S. now go ahead with its part of the November
2000 agreement and begin issuing permits for U.S.
satellites to be launched in China? Or, is there now
going to be a period in which the U.S. watches how
these regulations are implemented and enforced before
doing that?

ARMITAGE: Well, part of the November 2000 agreement
also, from the U.S. point of view, required certain
punishment for people who had engaged in these
sanctioned activities. What we did agree to do is to
have our experts get together as soon as humanly
possible on our side, this would be Assistant
Secretary John Wolf, to not only fully understand the
regulations and enforcement mechanism but to talk
about a way forward. We view this as a positive step
and a positive development, and I hope that the talks
that will be coming in the very near future will lead
to the undoing of some of those licenses which have
been held up.

QUESTION: Have you seen the list of the technologies
and the products that are covered under these
regulations? If so, do they meet your requirements or
are there important technologies that arent even on
the list?

ARMITAGE: During my meeting this morning with Vice
Foreign Minister Li he gave me the export regulations.
Unfortunately for me, they were in Chinese. So the
answer to your question is, Ive seen them but I
didnt understand them. I suspect that our folks are
poring over them right now. Someone who is much more
expert on the ins and outs will be able to give you a
much more considered answer.

QUESTION: Sorry, but is that the list or is that just
the regulations and the list of the products will be
coming?

ARMITAGE: I heard that that is the case but as I say
I didnt tear through it. It was quite thick and I
had ongoing discussions.

QUESTION: You just mentioned that you discussed the
issue of South Asia with the Chinese leadership. How
did the Chinese respond and what was your view of
this?

ARMITAGE: Well, in the first instance I thanked the
Chinese side for the strenuous efforts of President
Jiang Zemin at Almaty a couple of months ago to try to
lower the temperatures, along with the efforts of
President Putin. Of course, the United States has
been involved throughout. I dont think theres any
difference of opinion on the absolute need to contain
the tensions and try to bring about a better
situation. We know the historical relationships
between China and Pakistan. We did note that the
present relationship between India and China is better
than it has been in the past and we certainly expect
that to continue. For our part, we are going to
continue to consult closely with the Chinese as we
move forward and continue our involvement surrounding
the tensions in South Asia.

QUESTION: There have been many times since Mr. Bush
was elected when the mood in Washington seemed rather
anti-Chinese. A lot of questions have been raised
about China. Even many in the administration are very
suspicious about the Chinese. The way you describe
your visit, its like youre best friends. Can you
talk a bit about this?

ARMITAGE: Well, I would note that whether youre in
Beijing or whether youre in Washington, there are
voices who are not as favorable to the relationship.
Its not a phenomenon thats limited to Washington. I
note that President Bush has three times now, or will
soon with Crawford, have met with the leadership of
China. Secretary Powell has had significant
interactions with his foreign minister counterpart;
Vice President Cheney with Vice President Hu Jintao.
I think the senior leadership of the United States is
quite intent on developing a good, solid relationship
with the Peoples Republic of China. This is not to
deny that there are voices occasionally that question
this relationship in Washington and beyond in our
country. Just as its not to deny that there are
voices here in Beijing that question the worthwhile
nature of the relationship with the United States.

I dont think that your characterization of us as
having had a conversation as if were the best of
friends...(inaudible). Some of us have been dealing
with the Chinese leadership for 20-odd years, so there
is a certain basis of understanding. Even when we
disagree, I think theres enough, as we say here in
Beijing, mutual trust and confidence, to know that we
can disagree without being disagreeable.

QUESTION: Did the U.S. side have any input into the
drafting of the export controls which have been issued
here? Was anything presented by the U.S. side that
the U.S. would like to see happen?

ARMITAGE: We certainly have had discussions. John
Wolf and Undersecretary Bolton have had discussions
with their Chinese counterparts. Whether they
actually turned over a list I cant say.

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY KEYSER: I think its
modeled on the MTCR (Missile Technology Control
Regime) guidelines.

ARMITAGE: There it is. And the answer is that its
modeled on the MTCR guidelines.

QUESTION: A second question, did China and the United
States see eye to eye with regard to the countries
that should not get this kind of technology or is
there disagreement regarding to Iran or Pakistan?

ARMITAGE: First of all, the United States is in the
midst of developing quite a good congenial,
constructive relationship with Pakistan. We didnt,
in my discussions, get into individual countries and
eligibility for different technology.

QUESTION: Just a follow-up on the proliferation issue.
In the months that the U.S. and China were going back
and forth about the November 2000 agreement, after the
November 2000 agreement, the subject of grandfathering
existing contracts came up. Is that issue now behind
both sides, and how has it been dealt with?

ARMITAGE: I did not discuss it today. Much more time
was spent on the regional issues. From our point of
view, grandfathering was not on. This is one of the
things that Assistant Secretary Wolf is going to have
to discuss when he arrives here in Beijing. Or,
perhaps well meet in New York. Wherever we can do
it, as quickly as possible, with the Chinese.

QUESTION: (Inaudible)

ARMITAGE: Between the United States and the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization? With China? Oh,
absolutely. The question had to do with
counter-terrorism cooperation and whether there was
anything to expect in the U.S.-China relationship
regarding counter-terrorism. Were going to have, I
believe its our second meeting on terrorist
financing. Were about to have a discussion about
container handling security and container security.
The Chinese side noted with satisfaction the U.S.
determination to put the ETIM (East Turkestan Islamic
Movement) on the foreign terrorist list, something
weve had discussions with China about over the past
several months. So, I think we certainly noted with
satisfaction the cooperation we had in Washington,
where, with Chinas assistance, we put together U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1373, which covered the
matter of terrorist financing. All in all, I think
the counter-terrorism cooperation is a pretty good
picture for the U.S. and for China.

QUESTION: The road to the release of these
regulations on missiles today has been slow and rather
bumpy, with some charges along the way that China
continued to export this sort of technology. Given
that background, how would you assess the significance
of what happened yesterday? Does it mean the U.S. is
still extremely wary and cautious? Or, this is a new
chapter, and things are much better?

ARMITAGE: I dont know how a guy who cant read
Chinese could characterize just what was contained on
the list. Being a non-technical person myself, I
dont think I can characterize us as being wary of it,
or cautious. Were businesslike in our approach to
the problems of export controls and proliferation. I
certainly see this as an effort on Chinas part to
move forward, and I fervently hope that thats what
our experts will determine. I suspect they will. But
I dont care to characterize.

QUESTION: Could you brief us a little bit more about
what kind of talks you had on Iraq? Especially, have
you touched upon the possibility of a U.S. attack on
Iraq?

ARMITAGE: I discussed the fact that Iraq left
untended, we felt, was a threat to us and to Iraqs
neighbors. I discussed some of our Presidents
comments, to the effect that he has all options before
him and hes made no decisions. I discussed, with our
Chinese friends, the fact that we will consult with
them as we move forward, and that no final decisions
have been made now. Finally, we discussed sort of the
theory of having U.N. Security Council Resolutions
existent, and the specter of a nation basically
thumbing their nose at the United Nations Security
Council, and what this augured for the body.

QUESTION: You mentioned the ETIM, and discussed
putting it on the terrorist list. Does this mean that
the U.S. considers the ETIM to be a terrorist
organization, and would support putting it on a list
of terrorist organizations?

ARMITAGE: We did.

QUESTION: You already have?

ARMITAGE: Yes. Its done. It was done several days
ago. We also discussed, I might add, not only the
fact that we put the ETIM on the terrorist list, but
the need, as China moved forward itself, in the very
difficult counter-terrorism fight with the ETIM, that
theres absolute necessity to respect minority rights,
particularly the Uighurs, in this case.

QUESTION: I would like to follow up on the BBC
question about ETIM. Maybe you could tell us what
ETIM stands for. Chinese officials in Xinjiang have
actually said that there is no room for a peaceful
independence movement, any sort of independence
movement, in Xinjiang for the Uighurs. So, if the
U.S. government is classifying the non-peaceful
independence movement as a terrorist organization,
where does that leave any independence movement?

ARMITAGE: The ETIM is the Eastern Turkestan Islamic
Movement. After careful study we judged that it was a
terrorist group, that it committed acts of violence
against unarmed civilians without any regard for who
was hurt. Im not sure what the second part of your
question was.

QUESTION: Basically, no peaceful resistance is
allowed in Xinjiang, so from a human rights point of
view, if no peaceful resistance is allowed, and we
classified the unpeaceful resistance as terrorism,
what is left for anyone who wants independence?

ARMITAGE: I think I tried to make clear that as we
discussed with our Chinese hosts, the placement of
ETIM on the terrorist list, we also discussed the need
to respect minority rights, particularly the Uighurs,
and recognize that this is difficult, but its
absolutely necessary, as we move forward.

QUESTION: (Translated.) Ever since Chen Shuibian
made the statement about one country on each side of
the Straits, the United States has not really
commented on that statement. Why is that?

ARMITAGE: We have indeed commented. The United
States said, in response to that, both from the State
Department spokespersons desk, as well as the White
House, that the United States does not support Taiwan
independence.

QUESTION: (Translated.) (Inaudible)...the difference
of opinion between Bush and Jiang
Zemin...(inaudible)...image of Chen Shuibian, whether
these differences...(inaudible)...can be
resolved...(inaudible)...by the next summit?

ARMITAGE: I think I understood the question to be,
would the differences of opinion between Mr. Bush and
President Jiang Zemin be resolved before the next
summit?

QUESTION: (Inaudible)

ARMITAGE: I dont think I can comment on the image of
President Chen Shuibian. I think I would note that
Taiwan is one of the questions that, I think everyone
knows, we have a difference of opinion with our
Chinese friends on. Its a situation that has existed
for a long time. I made it clear that our own
approach to relations is based on our One-China
Policy, the Three Communiqués, and the Taiwan
Relations Act, and note that all of our activities are
predicated on Chinas continuation of the policy of
peaceful resolution of the question, when we certainly
expect that to continue to be the policy of the
Peoples Republic of China.

QUESTION: You just mentioned that the administration
doesnt support Taiwan independence. Can you explain
why the administration is taking a position on the
final outcome in the Taiwan Strait? And, what could
happen if, this would shock us all but, if the people
on both sides of the Strait decided that Taiwan could
go independent? Would Washington continue not to
support Taiwan independence? Could you flesh out this
policy a little more, so wed understand it more?

ARMITAGE: The wording is important. By saying we do
not support, its one thing. Its different from
saying we oppose it. If people on both sides of the
Strait came to an agreeable solution, then the United
States obviously wouldnt inject ourselves. Hence, we
use the term we dont support it. But its
something to be resolved by the people on both sides
of the question.

QUESTION: Describe your remarks regarding Iraq.
Could you tell us a bit about what you heard in
response from the Chinese side?

ARMITAGE: No, I think thats for our Chinese friends
to say.

QUESTION: Can I just ask, then, whether you were
surprised by anything that you heard from that side?

ARMITAGE: No, I was not.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) What kind of pressure did China
and America make on the ETIM issue?

ARMITAGE: On the ETIM issue? The cooperation is, we
have put them on the foreign terrorist list. This
will, we believe, have some effect on helping to dry
up the funds that exist for this movement, therefore
making it much more difficult for the movement to
continue to engage in violence. We notice that when
the United States put the LTTE of Sri Lanka on the
foreign terrorists list, a short time later it became
very much more difficult for them to act with the same
impunity in Sri Lanka. Hence, theres been a
movement, or at least the beginnings of a glimmer, of
hope for peace in Sri Lanka. One would hope that the
same type of result would be here.

QUESTION: (Inaudible)

ARMITAGE: LTTE, what? (Inaudible question) No, not
by the United States.

QUESTION: By the government of Sri Lanka?

ARMITAGE: No, the government of Sri Lanka, which we
support, can make any decision they want regarding --
theyve got the nearest equities. For our part, the
United States part, the LTTE remains on the list.

QUESTION: Were you able to discuss Chinas position
on North Korean asylum seekers? Im not sure if
youre aware that today, seven North Koreans were
arrested outside the Foreign Ministry?

ARMITAGE: We discussed the question of North Korea,
the fact that both the United States and China share
an interest in continued stability on the peninsula of
Korea. I was unaware of that incident, the seven to
which you refer. That did not come up in my talks
today.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very
much.