[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 232 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 232

    Expressing the sense of Congress regarding security for Taiwan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 26, 2003

  Mr. Andrews (for himself, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Hefley, Mr. Souder, Mr. 
   Pence, Mr. Burton of Indiana, and Mr. Wu) submitted the following 
     concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the sense of Congress regarding security for Taiwan.

Whereas for over half a century a close relationship has existed between the 
        United States and Taiwan which has been of enormous economic, cultural, 
        and strategic advantage to both countries;
Whereas Taiwan today is a full-fledged democracy with a vibrant economy and a 
        vigorous multi-party political system that respects human rights and the 
        rule of law;
Whereas Taiwan is an ally of the United States, as most recently evidenced by 
        Taiwan's provision of humanitarian and financial assistance to 
        Afghanistan at the request of the United States and its support for 
        Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas the security of the 23 million people in Taiwan is threatened by the 
        deployment by the People's Republic of China of over 400 short-range 
        ballistic missiles targeted at Taiwan, and the purchase by the PRC of 
        advanced weaponry systems, including Su-27 and Su-30 fighter planes, 
        Kilo submarines, and Sovremenny destroyers;
Whereas Taiwan was threatened by missile exercises conducted by the PRC in 
        August 1995 and again in March 1996 when Taiwan was conducting its first 
        free and direct presidential elections;
Whereas section 2(b)(4) of the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301(b)(4)) 
        considers any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than 
        peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, a threat to the 
        peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to 
        the United States;
Whereas section 2(b)(6) of the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301(b)(6)) 
        requires the United States to maintain the capacity to resist any resort 
        to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, 
        or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan;
Whereas in his January 17, 2001, confirmation hearing as Secretary of State, 
        General Colin Powell stated that ``We will stand by Taiwan and will 
        provide for the defense needs of Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan 
        Relations Act and the subsequent communiques.'';
Whereas President Bush stated on April 24, 2001, that the United States will do 
        whatever it takes to help Taiwan defend itself;
Whereas in his testimony before the International Relations Committee of the 
        House of Representatives and the Foreign Relations Committee of the 
        Senate in February and March of 2002, Admiral Dennis Blair of the United 
        States Pacific Command testified that ``China continued to build and 
        exercise its force of short-range ballistic missiles ranging Taiwan. It 
        still seeks to develop a range of military options to influence and 
        intimidate Taiwan, and has not abandoned the option of using force to 
        resolve Taiwan's status.''; and
Whereas the July 2002 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission report 
        to Congress stated that ``China is enhancing its capability to carry out 
        attacks across the Taiwan Strait with its special operations forces, air 
        forces and navy and missiles forces with little notice,'' and ``the 
        Commission recommends that the U.S. along with its allies should 
        continue to call upon China to renounce the threat of or the use of 
        force against Taiwan.'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) grave concerns exist concerning the deployment by the 
        People's Republic of China of hundreds of ballistic missiles 
        directed toward Taiwan, which threaten the security and 
        stability in the Taiwan Strait;
            (2) the President should direct all appropriate United 
        States officials to raise these concerns with the appropriate 
        officials from the People's Republic of China, and should seek 
        a public, immediate, and unequivocal renunciation from the 
        leaders of the People's Republic of China of any threat or use 
        of force against Taiwan;
            (3) the President should affirm with the leaders of the 
        People's Republic of China that there will not be a quid pro 
        quo between the dismantling of missiles aimed at Taiwan by the 
        People's Republic of China, and arms sales to Taiwan by the 
        United States;
            (4) China should dismantle the missiles that threaten 
        Taiwan, otherwise the President should authorize the sale of 
        the Aegis system to Taiwan, which would enable Taiwan to defend 
        itself against the threat of a missile attack by China; and
            (5) the future of Taiwan should be determined peacefully 
        and with the express consent of the people of Taiwan.
                                 <all>