45位美國參議員致函歐巴馬總統

Formosan Association for Public Affairs 552 7th Street. SE. Washington, DC 20003, USA

Support Democracy, Support Taiwan
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For Immediate Release
Washington D C - May 27th 2011
Contact: (202) 547-3686
45 US Senators send letter to President Obama urging F-16 sale to Taiwan
Expressing serious concern about military imbalance in the Taiwan Strait

On Thursday May 26th 2011, a total of forty five members of the US Senate sent a letter to President Barack Obama (attached) urging him to “act swiftly and provide Taiwan with the F-16 C/D aircraft that are critical to meeting our obligations pursuant to the TRA and to preserving peace and security in the Taiwan Strait.”
The Senators expressed their serious concern about the growing military imbalance in the Taiwan Strait and said “To maintain peace and stability in the Strait, it is critical that your administration accept Taiwan’s Letter of Request (LOR) and move quickly to notify Congress of the sale of 66 F-16 C/D aircraft that Taiwan needs in order to modernize its air force.”
The Senators also emphasized that “The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979 directs both the Congress and the President to make decisions on arms sales to Taiwan based solely on the “judgment of the needs of Taiwan, …”

FAPA President Bob Yang commented in a reaction: "The F-16 sale is crucial for the defense of Taiwan. China has built up its military force and missiles, and is trying to force Taiwan into an unwanted absorption by China. The United States needs to stand by the freedom-loving people of Taiwan, and help it resist Chinese pressure.

Dr. Yang concluded: "It is in the interest of the United States to stand by Taiwan, as the island nation is strategically located, is a powerhouse of technology, and a beacon for democracy in Asia."

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45位美國參議員致函歐巴馬總統 對台灣海峽兩岸軍力失衡表嚴重關切 要求儘速軍售F-16給台灣

45位美國參議院的議員於2011年5月26日星期四，聯名致函歐巴馬總統(見附檔)，呼籲他「爲完成台美關係法中，美國應盡的義務，儘速軍售台灣F-16 C/D型戰機，維護台灣海峽的和平與安全。」
參議員們對台灣海峽兩岸軍力失衡表嚴重關切，並表示「爲維護兩岸的和平與安全，貴政府接受台灣的需求意向書(Letter of Request , LOR)，並儘快通知國會軍售66架F-16 C/D型戰機於台灣，以協助其現代化空軍軍力，是非常重要的。」

參議員們並強調，「1979年頒布的台灣關係法，提供國會及總統對台軍售乙事，以『針對台灣是否需要』為基礎。」

台灣人公共事務會會長楊英育對此表示:「軍售F-16給台灣，對台灣的國防相當重要。中國在其軍事力量及飛彈數量上不斷增強增多，並試圖要強行併吞台灣。美國必須與台灣愛好和平的人民站在一起，並協助他們抵擋來自中國的壓力。」

楊會長最後指出：「美國支持台灣，因為該島國的戰略位置、非凡科技成就、亞洲民主的典範，完全符合美國的利益，。」