[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 381 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 381

  Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits to the 
      United States by democratically elected officials of Taiwan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 6, 2006

Mr. Chabot (for himself and Mr. Brown of Ohio) submitted the following 
     concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits to the 
      United States by democratically elected officials of Taiwan.

Whereas, for over half a century, a close relationship has existed between the 
        United States and Taiwan which has been of enormous political, economic, 
        cultural, and strategic advantage to both countries;
Whereas Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of the United States in 
        the Asia-Pacific region;
Whereas it is United States policy to support and strengthen democracy around 
        the world;
Whereas during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan made a remarkable 
        transition to 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 President George W. Bush, in his speech in Kyoto, Japan, in November 
        2005, lauded Taiwan for its democratic achievements;
Whereas United States praise for Taiwan's democracy has yet to be translated 
        into equal treatment of Taiwan's democratically-elected leaders, as the 
        United States, due to pressure from the People's Republic of China, 
        continues to adhere to guidelines from the 1970s which bar the 
        President, Vice President, Premier, Foreign Minister, and Defense 
        Minister of Taiwan from coming to Washington, D.C.;
Whereas the United States has acquiesced for more than two decades to demands 
        made by the People's Republic of China to bar these high-level officials 
        from visiting Washington, D.C., while allowing the unelected leaders of 
        the People's Republic of China to routinely visit Washington D.C., and 
        welcoming them to the White House;
Whereas these self-imposed restrictions lead to a lack of direct contact and 
        communication with the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan, and 
        deprive the President, Congress, and the American public of the 
        opportunity to engage in a direct dialogue regarding developments in the 
        Asia-Pacific region and key elements of the relationship between the 
        United States and Taiwan;
Whereas in consideration of the major economic, security, and political 
        interests shared by the United States and Taiwan, it is in the national 
        interest of the United States to meet with and communicate directly with 
        Taiwan's democratically elected leaders;
Whereas since the Taiwan Strait is one of the flashpoints in the world, it is 
        essential that United States policymakers directly communicate with the 
        leaders of Taiwan;
Whereas because of the policy of restricting high-level officials from Taiwan 
        from making official visits to Washington, D.C., Members of Congress 
        need to rely solely upon indirect assessments provided by the President 
        or by the People's Republic of China; and
Whereas the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 
        (Public Law 103-416) provides that the President or other high-level 
        official of Taiwan shall be welcome in the United States, including in 
        Washington, D.C., at any time to discuss a variety of important issues: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) all restrictions on visits to the United States by 
        high-level elected and appointed officials of Taiwan, including 
        the democratically-elected President of Taiwan, should be 
        lifted;
            (2) the United States should encourage direct high-level 
        exchanges at the Cabinet level, in order to strengthen a policy 
        dialogue with Taiwan's Government; and
            (3) it is in the national interest of the United States to 
        strengthen its links with the democratically-elected government 
        of Taiwan and demonstrate stronger support for democracy in the 
        Asia-Pacific region.
                                 <all>