[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 212 Engrossed in House (EH)]


  2d Session

                            H. CON. RES. 212

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

   Endorsing the adoption by the European Parliament of a resolution 
  supporting the Republic of China on Taiwan's efforts at joining the 
                         community of nations.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 212

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress endorses the adoption by the European Parliament on 
July 18, 1996, of a resolution supporting the Republic of China on 
Taiwan's efforts at joining the community of nations, which is 
substantially as follows:
    ``The European Parliament,
    --having regard to Article J.7 of the Treaty on European Union,
            ``(A) satisfied with the current state of Taiwan's 
        democracy and Taiwan's respect for the principles of justice, 
        human rights and fundamental freedom;
            ``(B) welcoming the fact that the elections in Taiwan were 
        conducted democratically and peacefully despite the overt 
        aggression and provocation by the People's Republic of China;
            ``(C) having regard to Taiwan's wish to participate in 
        international aid to developing countries;
            ``(D) having regard to the significance of developments in 
        the political situation in Taiwan for the whole of East Asia at 
        a geopolitical and economic level and in terms of a policy of 
        stability, security and peace in the Western Pacific region;
            ``(E) welcoming the attitude of reconciliation displayed by 
        President Lee Tang-hui towards the People's Republic of China 
        and looking forward to a dialogue spanning both sides of the 
        Taiwan Straits;
            ``(F) convinced that the people of Taiwan ought to be 
        better represented in international organizations than they are 
        at present, which would benefit both Taiwan and the whole of 
        the international community;
            ``(G) whereas neither the European Union nor any of its 
        Member States have diplomatic relations with the Government of 
        Taiwan, recognizing only the People's Republic of China;
            ``(H) whereas Taiwan is very important to the European 
        Union and its Member States as a trade partner;
            ``(I) whereas it is important for the European Union and 
        its Member States to develop their relations with the 
        governments of both the People's Republic of China and Taiwan 
        in an amicable and constructive spirit.
            ``(J) urging the governments of the People's Republic of 
        China and Taiwan to intensify their cooperation;
            ``(K) stressing that participation by Taiwan in certain 
        international organizations can assist with finding common 
        ground between China and Taiwan and facilitate reconciliation 
        between the two sides;
            ``(L) regretting the fact that Taiwan at present is 
        prevented from making a full contribution to the United Nations 
        and its agencies, and stressing that, for the efficiency of the 
        United Nations, Taiwan's participation would be desirable and 
        valuable;
    ``1. Urges:
            ``(a) the Council and Member States to support Taiwan's 
        attempts to secure better representation than it currently 
        enjoys in international organizations in the fields of human 
        and labour rights, economic affairs, the environment and 
        development cooperation . . .;
            ``(b) the Council and Member States to ask the United 
        Nations to investigate the possibility of setting up a United 
        Nations working group to study the scope for Taiwan to 
        participate in the activities of bodies answerable to the 
        United Nations General Assembly;
            ``(c) the Council and Member States to encourage the 
        governments of the People's Republic of China and Taiwan to 
        intensify their cooperation in a constructive and peaceful 
        spirit;
            ``(d) the Council to urge the Commission to adopt measures 
        with a view to opening a European Union information office in 
        Taipei;
    ``2. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the 
Council and to the Commission.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 24, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.