Writing is on the wall for wary Taiwan

Michael Tsai points to a large map on the wall of his office in Taiwan's national defence ministry. It is dotted with red symbols representing dozens of Chinese missile, air and naval bases within easy shooting range of the capital, Taipei, and other major Taiwanese cities.

Given Taiwan's predicament, it has no option but to arm itself as best it can, Mr Tsai says. China's recent actions mean that a long-delayed multi-billion dollar arms purchase from the US is now more likely to be approved by the Taiwanese parliament.

"The US arms sale is for self-defence. We're not going to attack them ! It's just like your neighbour is a big robber with a knife or a gun and they point the gun at your head. What would you do?"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1448623,00.html

President Chen doesn't deserve to be President if he doesn't order construction of secret offensive nuclear missiles! Taiwan cannot trust America for help. America stuck a knife in Taiwan's back before and will do it again. American capitalists would do anything for assets and power. Look what the Repukes and the Bush Crime Family did to Iraq for oil.

Taiwan must have offensive nuclear missiles the same as Israel does.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (??) "journey of peace" to China triggered massive violence between pro-unification and independence forces at the CKS International Airport on Tuesday. The violence was not unexpected. However, for the sake of his personal vanity and political ambition, Lien still went ahead with his trip, disregarding warnings that his action could split Taiwan.

Lien's political gamble that started with such scenes of violence demonstrated the domestic political crisis is much greater than the cross-strait crisis. Lien's real aim is to win China's support for his struggle against President Chen Shui-bian (???) and thereby return to power.

Before the people of Taiwan reach a consensus on the China issue, any political move that attempts to make peace or unite with Beijing will only deepen disagreement and hatred in society. For example, when Lien and his delegation received red-carpet treatment in Nanjing on Tuesday, perhaps they were proud and self-satisfied, but people with strong Taiwan consciousness felt humiliated as they watched Lien's smirking on TV, and could only have felt deeply hurt. After all, China has only recently passed an "Anti-Secession" Law, which legitimizes the use of military force against this country.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2005/04/28/2003252325