Taipei, Nov. 9 (CNA) The U.S. government opposes Taiwan's planned referendum on whether to apply for U.N. membership under the name Taiwan because it is "not necessary nor helpful, " but the U.S. has no intention of infringing on Taiwan people's right to exercise their democratic will, the top U.S. envoy in Taipei said Friday.
Stephen Young, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office, also said at his biannual news conference that the U.S. government has no favorites in Taiwan's upcoming presidential and legislative elections and no objection to the use of referendums in Taiwan.
However, "as in most democracies, just because you can do something, it doesn't mean you should, " he said, noting that the referendum poses a threat to cross-strait stability and is inconsistent with President Chen Shui-bian's public commitments.
The U.S. has been more concerned with the DPP (ruling Democratic Progressive Party) proposal because it touches upon the "name change" of the nation, which was inconsistent with Chen's commitment to the U.S., Young told CNA.
"The way you ask questions has a lot to do with the answers you get back, " Young said.
But that did not mean the U.S. does not oppose the KMT (opposition Kuomintang) proposal, which asks whether the nation should seek to "re-enter" the United Nations and join other world organizations using the name "Republic of China, Taiwan or other practical titles that would facilitate a successful membership bid and uphold the nation's identity."
"Basically, we oppose both proposals, " he said.
Young stressed that the U.S. is not indifferent to Taiwan's quest for international space, but the politicians and people of Taiwan are encouraged to "avoid acts that couldn't really help Taiwan to gain more international space."
Young discussed Taiwan-U.S. relations against the background of the referendum, arms procurement and military cooperation and economic ties during the one-hour press conference.
The U.S. has been and will be focusing on providing Taiwan with a defensive capability able to protect critical infrastructure, and opportunities of joint military cooperation, training and development, he said.
The U.S. was aware of Taiwan's interest in buying F-16 C/D jet fighters, he said, but "it's a long process" and the U.S. is waiting for Taiwan to formalize its request.
On Taiwan's development of Hsiungfeng 2E missiles, Young declined to make further comment, but denied that Taiwan has promised to consult the U.S. before launching missiles.
Showing confidence in Taiwan's economy, Young said that the total two-way trade between the U.S. and Taiwan was US$60 billion last year and that is expected to rise by 4 percent in 2007. He encouraged further discussion from both presidential candidates of economic issues.