[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 40 (Thursday, April 14, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     SANCTIONS ON TAIWAN TRADE IN TIGER BONES AND RHINOCEROS HORNS

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I have one other point I want to 
bring up. I know it is late, but I will be brief. This matter, I think, 
is receiving a great deal of attention among those of us who follow the 
attitude of our State Department toward both Taiwan and China. The 
issue that I want to discuss is the sanctions that have recently been 
imposed by the administration, singling out Taiwan for punishment. Can 
you imagine that? Our allies have been singled out for punishment.
  I rise to express my concern over the administration's recommendation 
that Taiwan alone be sanctioned for trade in tiger bones and rhinoceros 
horns. These are traditional Chinese medicines. The issue is not over 
whether Taiwan should stop trading in endangered species. Certainly it 
should. We all agree to that. But so should China. And yet China does 
not face any sanctions, or any mention of sanctions. The administration 
has chosen to single out Taiwan for punishment.
  In 1993 the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species, 
that is CITES, recommended the imposition of sanctions against both 
China and Taiwan--both. The administration deferred the action in 1993 
as an incentive for both countries to take steps to meet the CITES 
standards.
  According to the Departments of State and Interior, both countries 
have made progress in eliminating illegal trade, but further progress 
is needed. This is a reasonable recommendation so far.
  But the question is: Why did the administration single out Taiwan for 
enforcement? There seems to be some disagreement among the agencies 
over the official explanation, as you might expect. One explanation is 
that the Taiwanese have not passed tougher legislation through the 
Yuan, but the Chinese have decreed new laws.
  Is it not ironic that Taiwan, which is a legitimate democracy, is 
being sanctioned because it faces a delay in getting legislation 
enacted? Have we ever faced delay around here in getting legislation 
enacted?
  And China, compare the two--China, the Communist dictatorship, is 
being rewarded for decreeing, if you will, new laws overnight, and for 
staging public events. That is the reality.
  Just as in the United States, lawmaking in Taiwan faces political and 
legal challenges that can delay enactment of new legislation. China's 
Communist leaders, on the other hand, can decree whatever they like 
without any due process. Think about that.
  Finally, a second unspoken explanation is that the administration's 
China policy is in such disarray since Secretary Christopher's trip 
that it just will not risk slapping the Chinese when they deserve it.
  Madam President, I think this is the wrong signal to send to both 
Taiwan and China. China is rebuffing the United States on everything 
from North Korea to human rights, but we are rewarding their lack of 
progress by letting them slide on trade in animal parts and taking it 
out on Taiwan. Taiwan has consistently acted as a friendly ally that is 
cooperating on a whole range of issues, but we are punishing them now. 
And Madam President, we are punishing them for being a democracy.
  The administration's action reminds me of the parent who punishes the 
quiet child who does his work but brings home a B on his report card, 
and does nothing to the loud child who perhaps forges his B on his 
report card and threatens to quit school if he gets punished.
  I think this administration should rethink its policy. Equal progress 
should receive equal treatment. Taiwan should not be forced to take the 
rap for China too, and we should certainly not take this action at the 
expense of our friends in Taiwan, who are simply turning the other 
cheek on China.

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