Bush Makes Decisions on U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan

Bush Makes Decisions on U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan

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President George W. Bush put off a possible sale of the Aegis naval air defense system to Taiwan on Monday.

Bush will offer Taiwan four modern Kidd class naval destroyers, rather than the more-advanced Arleigh Burke class destroyers Taiwan had requested.

The United States will also sell Taiwan 12 P-3 "Orion" anti-submarine aircraft and help it to buy eight diesel submarines, administration and congressional sources said.

The total package also includes items such as a technical briefing on the PAC-3 missile defense system which Taiwan may seek in the future, decoys, helicopter survival equipment, and self-propelled artillery.

A Taiwanese delegation will be notified of Bush's decision on Tuesday during a visit to the Pentagon, and it will be up to Taiwan to decide how much of the offered weapons the island will purchase.

Former President Bill Clinton had previously turned down an Aegis sale to Taiwan. The White House official said Bush's decision had followed the recommendation of his national security team.

China has said any advanced weapons sales to Taiwan would have a "devastating impact" on U.S.-China relations. Washington recognizes Beijing as the sole legitimate government of China.

Chinese Embassy spokesman Zhang Yuanyuan said last week U.S.-China relations would be damaged if Washington decided to sell any advanced weapons to Taiwan. This did not just apply to the Arleigh Burkes, but to other less sophisticated weaponry.