ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:96031501.txt
DATE:03/15/96
TITLE:15-03-96  WHITE HOUSE REPORT, FRIDAY, MARCH 15

TEXT:


NEWS BRIEFING -- Press Secretary Mike McCurry covered these topics:



CHINESE MOVES ASSESSED

He said the administration considers it "very significant" that
Beijing has announced an end to its testing of missiles in the Taiwan
Strait, with fewer firings "than we had anticipated." The Chinese
announced an end to M-9 tests after four, but planned air-to-ground
cruise missile testing. McCurry said the administration had expected
more than four test firings.

Asked if Washington considers the Chinese statement an easing of
tension, McCurry said "We hope this will be an easing of tension. We
take a dim view of provocative military exercises." He said he expects
the Chinese exercises to continue next week.

But he said he didn't consider the step "hopeful," insisting that the
administration "takes a very dim view of military exercises. We think
they are unnecessarily provocative. We believe the issue of Taiwan
ought to be addressed through peaceful dialogue. We've been critical
of the exercises, but we do note that the Chinese have ended their M-9
missile tests."

He said he could not confirm news reports asserting that Chinese
officials have assured Washington Beijing will not attack Taipei. "We
have had very direct conversations with the People's Republic," he
said. "We've encouraged them to pursue peaceful means to resolve the
Taiwan issue. We have acknowledged the public representations of the
People's Republic that they do intend to achieve the eventual
reunification of China through peaceful means. In our private dialogue
-- which will remain private -- we have expressed our concerns. As to
the response of the People's Republic, it's more appropriate to ask
them ... (but) I cannot confirm the statement."

Asked about a House resolution urging the United States to use force
in defense of Taiwan, McCurry said, "U.S. policy towards China, as
defined by the Taiwan Relations Act, has served the United States well
under both Democratic and Republican presidents and Congresses."
Pressed on whether that meant the White House opposed the resolution,
he said, "I didn't say that."