[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 106 Introduced in Senate (IS)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 106

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 27, 2006

    Mr. Johnson (for himself and Mr. Allen) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               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 a November 2005 speech in Kyoto, Japan, 
        lauded the Government of Taiwan for its democratic achievements;
Whereas, in spite of its praise for democracy in Taiwan, the United States 
        Government continues to adhere to guidelines from the 1970s that bar the 
        President, Vice President, Premier, Foreign Minister, and Defense 
        Minister of Taiwan from coming to Washington, D.C.;
Whereas the United States Government has barred 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 to the benefit 
        of the United States for United States officials to meet with and 
        communicate directly with the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan;
Whereas, since the Taiwan Strait is one of the flashpoints in the world, it is 
        important that United States policymakers directly communicate with the 
        leaders of Taiwan; and
Whereas, Section 221 of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections 
        Act of 1994 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note) provides that the President or other 
        high-level officials of Taiwan may visit the United States, including 
        Washington D.C., at any time to discuss a variety of important issues: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the Sense of Congress that--
            (1) 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 allow direct high-level 
        exchanges at the Cabinet level, in order to strengthen a policy 
        dialogue with the Government of Taiwan; and
            (3) it is in the interest of the United States to 
        strengthen links between the United States and the 
        democratically-elected Government of Taiwan and demonstrate 
        stronger support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.
                                 <all>