Taiwan

* Thanks to Jim Mann’s fine reporting (Oct. 10), we now know who really is responsible for the recent escalation of tension in the Taiwan Strait. Kowtowing to Chinese demand, the Clinton administration apparently tried to pressure the Taiwanese government into entering an “interim agreement” to reunite with China. This would amount to asking the Taiwanese people to surrender unconditionally.

Any attempt by foreign powers to resolve the so-called Taiwan issue without the consent of the 23 million residents of the island nation is morally corrupt and will only lead to further problems and bloodshed. After all, Taiwan, a burgeoning democracy, is the 17th-largest trading nation and ranks 23rd in per capita GNP. By comparison, China ranks 149th in per capita GNP and has a government that is among the most oppressive and corrupt in the world. Why would the Taiwanese want to unite with China?

YEN CHEN

Claremont