Adam Ereli Taiwan Quotations

We're issuing this in the wake of some comments by President Chen in Taiwan that we don't want to be inflammatory or send the wrong signal, so we thought it useful to reiterate US policy on the subject.

We've reiterated the view that Taiwan needs to refrain from taking actions which can be seen as unilateral efforts to change the status quo.

Our understanding from the authorities in Taiwan was that the action Taiwan took on February 27 was deliberately designed not to change the status quo ... Our firm policy is that there should be no unilateral change in the status quo, as we have said many times.

We expect the Taiwan authorities publicly to correct the record and unambiguously affirm that the February 27 announcement did not abolish the National Unification Council, did not change the status quo, and that the assurances remain in effect.

We do not support Taiwan independence, and we oppose unilateral changes to the status quo by either side.

The United States does not support Taiwan independence and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by either Taiwan or Beijing.

I don't really have more to add to the statement. It's important that Taiwan unambiguously clarify its position.