[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 TAIWAN

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise today as chairman of the Senate 
Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs to join in the sentiments 
of my colleagues on Taiwan, and particularly on the visit of President 
Lee.
  I need not repeat in detail for the Senate Taiwan's many 
accomplishments, either economic or political. These have often been 
discussed on the Senate floor. It is sufficient to note that this 
country is our fifth largest trading partner and imports over 17 
billion dollars' worth of U.S. products annually. More importantly, 
though, Taiwan is a model emerging democracy in a region of the world 
not particularly noted for its long democratic tradition.
  The Taiwanese Government has ended martial law, removed restrictions 
on freedom of the press, legalized the opposition parties, and 
instituted electoral reforms which last December resulted in free 
elections.
  Taiwan is one of our staunchest friends. I think every Member of this 
body recognizes that and accords Taiwan a special place among our 
allies. Unfortunately, Mr. President, the administration apparently 
does not share our views. Rather, the administration goes out of its 
way to shun the Republic of China on Taiwan, almost as though it were a 
pariah state like Libya or Iran.
  Sadly, the administration's shoddy treatment of Taiwan is based not 
on that country's faults or misdeeds but on the dictates of another 
country, the People's Republic of China. It is because the People's 
Republic of China continues to claim that it is the sole legitimate 
Government of Taiwan and because of the administration's almost slavish 
desire to avoid upsetting that view that the State Department regularly 
kowtows to Beijing and maltreats the Government of Taiwan. If this were 
not such a serious matter, it would almost be amusing, the lengths to 
which the administration goes to avoid any perceived official 
entanglements.
  Representatives of the Taiwan Government are prohibited from 
physically entering the State Department or the Pentagon buildings. Any 
United States Government employee who goes to work to represent United 
States interests in Taiwan and who also works for the State Department 
must first resign from the State Department before being allowed to go. 
One has to carefully choose what one calls the island's government to 
avoid slighting Beijing: Is it the Republic of China, is it the 
Republic of China on Taiwan, Taiwan, or the Republic of Taiwan?
  Finally, the last humiliation to which we subject our ally brings us 
here this morning. This administration refuses to allow the President 
of Taiwan to enter this country, even for a private visit--a private 
visit, Mr. President. President Lee is a graduate of Cornell University 
where he earned his Ph.D. He has expressed an interest in attending a 
class reunion at his alma mater this June and a United States-Taiwan 
Economic Council conference. Yet, the administration has made it clear 
it will not permit him entry.
  The only people that this country systematically excludes from entry 
to its shores are felons or criminals, terrorists, and individuals with 
dangerous communicable diseases. How is it possible that this 
administration can see fit to add the President of Asia's oldest 
republic to the list? We have allowed representatives of the PLO and 
the Sinn Fein to enter this country, yet we exclude a visit by an 
upstanding private citizen?
  I think we have made it clear to Beijing--I know I have tried to--of 
the great importance to us of our strong relationship with that 
country.
 This relationship should in my opinion transcend squabbles over 
diplomatic minutia. I will always seek to avoid any move that the 
Government of the People's Republic of China reasonably could find 
objectionable. I believe that countries like ours should try hard to 
accommodate each other's needs and concerns in order to further 
strengthen our relationships.

  However, I believe that the People's Republic of China needs to 
recognize the reality of the situation. Both Taiwan and the People's 
Republic of China are strong, economically vibrant entities. Both share 
a common heritage and a common culture and yet have chosen political 
systems that are mutually exclusive. Despite these differences, the 
United States has a strong and important relationship with them both, 
and we need to continue those relationships.
  Mr. President, I yield the remainder of my time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mr. EXON. Mr. President, I believe the Senator from Nebraska has 15 
minutes allotted to him under the unanimous-consent agreement. Is that 
correct?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.
  (The remarks of Mr. EXON pertaining to the introduction of S. 550 are 
located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and 
Joint Resolutions.'')

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