[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 10 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CALLING FOR A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN TAIWAN AND THE PEOPLES 
                           REPUBLIC OF CHINA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Torricelli] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, it is said that in history, great 
conflicts begin more often from miscalculation than by purposeful 
design. Even in our own time, it is said that the Korean war may have 
begun by the unfortunate statement of Mr. Avenuees that the defense 
perimeter of the United States began in the Sea of Japan, and not the 
38th parallel.
  A few years ago the United States Ambassador to Iraq suggested to 
Saddam Hussein that in a dispute between Kuwait and Iraq, the United 
States would regard the matter as an internal problem in the Arab 
world. Today in the straits of Taiwan a foundation may be being laid 
for a similar misunderstanding.
  I take the floor today, Mr. Speaker, as one Member of this 
institution, in the hope that the leaders of our country, our great 
allies in the People's Republic of China, come to some mutual 
understanding of events that are taking shape even as we speak between 
Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.
  Only weeks ago the Peoples Republic fired missiles into the airspace 
and the shipping lanes around Taiwan. It is now openly being discussed 
what further actions, including military measures, might be taken. The 
leaders in Beijing are displeased with comments or activities of 
President Li after the Taiwanese elections.
  It is the policy of the United States Government to have formal 
diplomatic relations with the People's Republic and to recognize it as 
the sole legitimate Government of China, but the Taiwan Relations Act 
is infinitely more complex. It also permits, and indeed, in my 
judgment, provides a responsibility for the United States Government to 
continually reassess our role and obligations if the security situation 
of Taiwan were to deteriorate.
  I recognize that the relationship between Beijing and Washington is 
one of the cornerstones of world peace. It is one of this Nation's most 
important economic, cultural, and security relationships. I want it to 
be strong and I want it to be sound. But I also recognize, and history 
bears witness, the United States keeps its obligations, recognizes its 
relationships, and meets the needs of its friends.
  I trust and I hope that Beijing in the coming months will act 
responsibly, retain the commitment that any dispute it might have with 
the people on Taiwan and the question of the larger China is resolved 
peacefully, responsibly, and diplomatically. But simply because Members 
of this institution and the larger U.S. Government are committed to 
good relations with Beijing, simply because we want good political 
relationships, increased investment and trade, simply because of the 
progress of all these years, they should not put aside that this is 
still a nation that keeps its obligations, defends the weak against the 
strong, and holds democratic governments with pluralistic governments 
in a singular and special category.
  This is, after all, not the Taiwan of 20 years ago. There is a free 
press, a pluralist democracy, and now, a popularly elected President. 
That does not negate aspects of, or in its totality, the Taiwan 
Relations Act. It is simply an attempt to make an effort on my own part 
to communicate with the leaders in Beijing to let them know that the 
firing of the missiles was not only wrong, but threatening military 
action is irresponsible.
  However they may calculate it, whatever their advisers may say, at 
the end of the day, in spite of all the investment and all the hopes 
for good relations with China, the world will not watch a military 
incursion, a renewal of hostilities, or even irresponsible acts that 
threaten the peace.
  So I hope each in our private ways, parties to this potential 
dispute, will again renew their commitment to peace and ensure that our 
actions remain responsible, but that all parties at the end of the day 
recognize that the United States will not witness the forceful end of 
the Government of Taiwan.

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