[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 91 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
                E X T E N S I O N   O F   R E M A R K S


    TAIWAN'S COMMITMENT TO REFORM AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ARE 
                 CONSISTENT WITH UNITED NATIONS IDEALS

                                 ______


                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 1994

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan has not been represented 
at the United Nations since 1971 when it was replaced as the sole 
representative of China by the People's Republic of China.
  However, much has changed in Taiwan, and globally, since 1971. 
According to many reports, including our own Department of State's 
Country Reports for 1993, Taiwan has made great progress--politically, 
economically, and socially. Democratic reforms, including multiparty 
elections, have ensured greater representation of all peoples. Free and 
fair local elections were held late last year. The military has moved 
toward greater political neutrality and the law enforcement is under 
the control of civilian police agencies. Restrictions on political 
dissidents and greater freedom of press and media have also added to 
Taiwan's growing list of freedoms and democratization. Taiwan's free 
market economy makes it a major international player, ranked 20th in 
terms of GNP. According to one expert, Dr. Hendrick Spruyt of Columbia 
University, Taiwan has ``helped lead the explosive growth of all the 
East Asian countries.''
  Currently, 28 countries maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan and 
although they have been included in some international organizations--
APEC and the Asian Development Bank--the 21 million people living on 
Taiwan have no voice at the United Nations. Even our own Nation, with 
all of the economic and trade ties, does not have official ties with 
Taiwan.
  In contrast, the People's Republic of China, which has representation 
in the United Nations and official diplomatic ties with the United 
States, has continued on a course which suppresses political dissent, 
tightly controls the press and media, violates almost every 
international standard for human rights, and refuses to cooperate with 
the international community in areas of global security. Every human 
rights report issued about China lists it as one of the most egregious 
violators of human rights in the world today. Many of its population 
control policies and eugenics laws have been compared to policies and 
laws enacted by the Nazi's in Germany.
  In May, President Clinton reversed his China policy and without 
apology to the millions of victims of the People's Republic of China's 
prison-labor camps, forced abortion and sterilization policies, 
restrictive religious laws, and other forms of repression, rewarded the 
dictators with MFN.
  It is amazing that forces directly opposed to the values and ideals 
of our Nation are rewarded while those who are victimized for their 
support of freedom, human rights, and democracy are silenced.
  Mr. Speaker, Taiwan has made great strides in democratic reform and 
in protecting the rights of its people. Yes, the reform process is far 
from over, but Taiwan is moving in the right direction. Dr. Parris 
Chang, cochairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Yuan and a 
member of an opposition party, speaking in New York last year, said 
that Taiwan is seeking membership in the United Nations ``to show the 
world that Taiwan cares. We don't just want a seat in the United 
Nations, but we want to be able to contribute to the peace and well 
being of the world.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 166 
expressing the sense of the Congress that Taiwan be represented in the 
United Nations. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, as 
well. The Government of Taiwan is moving toward protecting the rights 
of its people and ensuring that they have a greater voice in their own 
nation. Just as they are leaders in the economic growth of Asia, with 
representation in the United Nations Taiwan could also become a leader 
in promoting human rights and democratic reform globally, as well.

                          ____________________