Clinton Promises to Veto Bill That Threatens China Relationship
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Here in the U.S. also, the White House is assuring China that President Clinton will veto a new bill making its way through Congress which would enhance U.S. military ties to Taiwan. CNN's Kelly Wallace has more.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Clinton's national security adviser said any bill to expand military relations between the United States and Taiwan is a mistake.</s>SAMUEL BERGER, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: It would upset the very delicate and successful balance that has existed for 25 years across the Taiwan Straits.</s>WALLACE: Supporters of the bill, which overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday, say it's needed to counter a reported military build-up by the Chinese near Taiwan.</s>REP. DANA ROHRABCHER (R), CALIFORNIA: We don't expect them to make the type of threats they've been making, and we expect to be able to exercise our rights as well.</s>WALLACE: China conducted missile exercises in 1996 prior to presidential elections in Taiwan. The CIA director said it could happen again.</s>GEORGE TENET, CIA DIRECTOR: We see a high potential for yet another military flare-up across the Taiwan Strait this year. The catalyst for these tensions is the Taiwan election on the 18th of March.</s>WALLACE: Even so, the White House says it has enough authority under current laws to provide defenses to Taiwan so that another bill is not needed. Beijing, which considers Taiwan a province, called in the U.S. ambassador to complain. The House vote comes at a time when the U.S. is trying to improve badly strained relations with China after NATO's accidental bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. It also comes as the Clinton administration tries to get Congress to approve permanent trade relations with China, leading to that country's entry into the World Trade Organization.</s>JAMES LILLEY, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: People who have concerns about China in the Congress have expressed their concerns through their vote on this bill. Now it's time for them to move on and get WTO for China.</s>WALLACE (on camera): The White House says the House vote on Taiwan won't affect its push for permanent trade relations with China. And senior administration officials say it's possible the Taiwan bill won't even make it out of the Senate and therefore to the president's desk. Kelly Wallace, CNN, the White House.