Rumsfeld added that whatever Taipei decided it would not alter the U.S. legal obligations to assist Taiwan in the event of an attack by mainland China. Rumsfeld also commented that he did not think that the maritime components of the current joint "Peaceful Mission-2005" Chinese-Russian military exercises in waters north of Taiwan represent a threat to Taipei.

The armaments package, approved by President Chen Shui-bian and his government, has been blocked by opposition primarily from former Chinese Nationalist Party chairman Lien Chan. Many Taiwanese observers believe that Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, Lien's successor, will be more pragmatic towards the proposed arms package.

Rumsfeld's comments represent a reversal of key Pentagon officials' positions over recent years to pressure the Taiwanese government to approve the proposed arms package. Washington's offer includes diesel submarines, PAC III anti-missile batteries and P-3C reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft.

In October 2004, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense for East Asia Richard Lawless, a stalwart defender of Taiwan in Washington, sternly told Taipei that a failure to approve the Bush administration's arms package would have severe consequences, with Taiwan subsequently being considered a "liability, rather than a partner" if it failed to approve it.

Lawless said bluntly, "If the legislative Yuan fails to pass this budget, it will be much harder to convince foreign partners to support your defense."

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