The United States said on Saturday it did not want a direct mediation role in the dispute between China and Taiwan, preferring the two sides talk to each other instead.
Published:
14 May 2000 y., Sunday
Questions about a possible U.S. mediation role in the long-running China-Taiwan confrontation arose from a Washington Post report that said both sides had asked the United States to intervene.
``We are not playing a role as a mediator, and we have not and do not seek to play that role,'' said P.J. Crowley, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
He said the United States was continuing to encourage China and Taiwan to reestablish their dialogue across the Taiwan Strait. ``We want to see that come about,'' he said.
Tension between Taiwan and China has been running high since Chen Shui-bian was elected president of Taiwan in March. Chen's Democratic Progressive Party espouses independence from China, infuriating Beijing. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has threatened to invade if the island breaks free. Chen is to be inaugurated on May 20.
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Kabul residents express mixed views on their country's future security ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's announcement of a withdrawal plan.
more »
The U.S Food and Drug Administration will release graphic warning labels for cigarette packages this week, to remind the American public about the dangers of smoking, moving away from the smaller print warnings currently found on cartons.
more »
Amateur video footage shows the immediate aftermath of Russian plane crash. There were 52 passengers and crew aboard the Tupolev-134 when it went down on Monday night.
more »
Israel's Arava Power Company has unveiled the country's first commercial solar field. The firm, which is investing almost $2 million on building a series of plants across the Negev desert hopes to start a "Solar Revolution" in the largely arid country.
more »
Shape-shifting robot mannequins are being used by an Estonian company to help solve one of the biggest problems for the online clothing industry - giving customers clothes which fit properly.
more »
NASA releases video of a solar flare erupting from the sun.
more »
Residents of the Argentine town of Villa la Angostura are warned to stay inside after a blanket of volcanic ash descends.
more »
An energy efficient home, measuring just 3 metres cubed, is helping people realise how to cut their carbon footprint.
more »
Remote, windswept Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean is being purged of its rabbits in a massive eradication programme designed to reverse more than a hundred years of environmental destruction.
more »
Space Shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Station in Florida for the last time after completing its mission to the International Space Station, as Space Shuttle Atlantis prepares for NASA’s last shuttle mission.
more »