Bush urged to bolster military ties

An intensified drive is under way in the US Congress to force the administration of President George W. Bush into an even closer military relationship with Taiwan - a push bolstered by the release of a critical Pentagon report at the weekend.

Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate armed services committees are soon due to meet to finalise defence spending laws for next year that could include formal language demanding expanded ties with Taiwan - a move which would inflame ties with Beijing.

House members succeeded in passing their own version of the bill with reference to a sweeping 'training plan' that would effectively formalise a delicate semi-official relationship. Covering a full range of military exercises, planning and intelligence, it promises to 'improve the defensive capabilities of Taiwan and to enhance inter-operability between the military forces of Taiwan and the . . . United States'.

No such measure was put in the Senate's own bill but intense lobbying is now starting in order to ensure it remains when the two are put together during closed-door negotiations. A single final document will then be sent to the White House for Mr Bush to sign.

'A lot of our members were keen and we will not be giving up on this one easily,' one Republican House source said. 'Helping Taiwan is close to a lot of our hearts.'

Despite increasing weapons sales to the island and allowing the private visit to the US of its defence minister, the Bush team is not keen to go as far as destroying its long-held 'one China' policy, many analysts believe.