April 19, 2001

The Honorable George W. Bush

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20502

Dear Mr. President:

Last Wednesday, the Asian and American press reported your foreign
policy advisors have recommended against the sale of sophisticated Aegis
destroyers to Taiwan. It has also been reported your decision is
expected by Tuesday, April 24. We strongly urge you to approve the sale.

Writing from Taiwan, we are concluding the final days in a week-long
series of high-level meetings in Taipei. We have met with Taiwan\'s
president, vice president, defense minister, legislators and other
national leaders. Taiwan\'s legitimate need for U.S. destroyers equipped
with the Aegis radar and weapons system is urgent. In fact, these
naval-based defense systems top the Taiwanese wish list.

The problem lies with China, which regards Taiwan as a breakaway
province. Beijing is rattling its saber again, threatening U.S.-China
relations will suffer further damage if the sale is made. We say the
greater risk is to leave Taiwan\'s democracy unnecessarily vulnerable to
aggression of any sort.

Since its repossession of Hong Kong, China has made it clear that Taiwan
is next on the menu. If the United States stands by as Beijing has its
way with this important democracy, we abandon our credibility in the
region. With Taiwan under its belt, China would gain the equivalence of
an unsinkable aircraft carrier \-- as well as a permanent blockade to
halt shipments of oil and raw materials destined for our allies,
including Japan.

Moreover, if China were to gain Taiwan\'s industrial and technological
might, along with its wealth, the Chinese would be the greatest economic
power in Asia, with the ability to strangle America\'s high tech
industry. That is why so much is at stake in the sale of these
destroyers.

Aegis destroyers \-- with their advanced radar, integrated battle
management, and surface-to-air missiles \-- will provide Taiwan with
improved detection and protection against a ballistic missile attack.
Satellite imagery has shown China has massed between 300 to 400 short
range ballistic missiles against Taiwan, and is expanding that cache by
50 or more missiles a year.

Aegis destroyers will also strengthen Taiwan\'s air and naval defenses,
making the island democracy a force worthy of China\'s respect.

Contrary to your advisors, the U.S. Navy has recommended the sale of
Aegis to Taiwan and the Department of Defense has concluded the
Taiwanese have the ability to operate and integrate the complex system.

The truth is, this sale is about more than standing firm in the face of
recent Chinese aggression. It is about maintaining balance and security
in the Far East. It is about maintaining U.S. credibility with our Asian
allies. It is about honoring our promise under the 1979 Taiwan Relations
Act by which the United States agreed to sell Taiwan the weapons needed
to maintain an adequate self-defense.

But more to the point, a free Taiwan capable of defending itself is
clearly in the interests of the United States, as well as our Asian
partners. Japan, with its democratic government and the world\'s second
largest economy, sees Taiwan as critical to its defense. Taiwan also
serves as a shield to South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Perhaps the best reason to stand beside Taiwan at this critical juncture
and authorize this sale is the fact it will strengthen the island\'s
vibrant democracy and free-market system. An independent Taiwan bolsters
the cause of freedom around the world and provides stability to
countries such as Indonesia struggling for their own systems of
democracy.

The recent Chinese downing of an unarmed U.S. reconnaissance aircraft in
international airspace and detainment of 24 American crewman remind us
China will seize any opportunity to flex its military muscle. Make no
mistake: China\'s accelerated arms buildup is directed against both
Taiwan and the United States. Another example is the 1998 military
exercise in which the Chinese simulated missile firings against Taiwan
and, for the first time, conducted mock attacks on U.S. troops in the
region.

For your administration, this is a critical moment of truth. China\'s
increasingly aggressive actions argue strongly for a determined U.S.
response to restore balance in the Far East beginning with Taiwan. Put
bluntly, the Chinese are a threat to peace and stability throughout
Asia. We have held a close relationship with Taiwan for more than 50
years; we must stand beside our friends now, when they need us most.

We urge you to support Taiwan in its effort to defend itself by
approving the sale of the Aegis system, in addition to other
sophisticated defenses, including ballistic missile defenses and
submarines. If we are to avoid escalated conflict with China, America
must take this opportunity to show Beijing and the world we are as
committed to the causes of maintaining peace and supporting democracy as
we are to increasing trade.

Anything less than the approval of the sale of Aegis to Taiwan will
jeopardize the strategic balance the United States has committed to
maintaining in the region. Worse would be the message of weakness
conveyed. Now is not the time to go wobbly.

Very truly yours,

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Roscoe G. Bartlett Bob Schaffer

Member of Congress Member of Congress

of Maryland of Colorado