A bit on the confusing side...

This from here:

KYOTO, Japan (Reuters) - President George W. Bush reiterated on Wednesday that Washington supported a "one-China policy" and said that China and Taiwan should settle their differences peacefully.

Bush is on a week-long, four-nation Asian tour that will also take him to China, South Korea and Mongolia.

He made the remarks at a joint news conference with his close ally, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, following talks with the Japanese leader.

But this seems at odds with this:

Dubya issues A-Bian a Blank Check

Bush pledges whatever it takes to defend Taiwan
April 25, 2001
CNN White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday said that the United States would do "whatever it took to help Taiwan defend herself" in the event of attack by [mainland] China.

Bush's comments were made during an interview taped for ABC's Good Morning America. Asked if Washington had an obligation to defend Taiwan, Bush said: "Yes, we do, and the Chinese must understand that." Asked whether the United States would use "the full force of the American military," Bush responded, "Whatever it took to help Taiwan defend herself."

This has undoubtedly got to present the Administration with some fine tightrope walking. On the one hand, Bush supports a reunification between Taiwan (a successful democratic republic, although not necessarily separate from China) and China (undoubtedly one of the worst violators of human rights in the world today). I know that this calls for some tricky hip hop dancing, as we're trying to out diplomat and tiptoe around a clumsy giant; but are we really willing to sacrifice principles so as to throw a freedom-loving people to the dogs like that?

I guess I don't even pretend to understand this.

(Filed under World Affairs)