[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING TAIWAN ON FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEMOCRATIC ELECTION

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                               speech of

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 1996

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us on May 21, House 
Concurrent Resolution 154, congratulated the popularly elected 
President of Taiwan, Lee Ten Hui, as well as the courageous people of 
Taiwan for the overhwelming success of their March 23, 1996 
Presidential elections. Action on the resolution by this body could 
hardly be more timely, in that President Lee was inaugurated on May 20, 
1996. This Member commends the sponsor of the resolution, the 
distinguished gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Funderburk], and the 
chairman of the International Relations Committee, the distinguished 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] for their leadership on this 
important resolution.
  First, on a personal level, this Member congratulates President Lee 
for his outstanding electoral victory and commends him for the bold 
inaugural speech he delivered yesterday in Taipei. There is no leader 
in the world today who has been more vilified by Beijing and no 
territory more bullied than Taiwan. So what does President Lee do in 
his inaugural speech? In a bold peacemaking gesture, President Lee 
seeks a face-to-face meeting with PRC President, Jiang Zemin. Is this 
call for a meeting a sign of weakness, a sign that Taiwan is bowing to 
Beijing's pressure? Of course not. President Lee's call is a sign of 
strength, a sign that Taiwan has the will to challenge Beijing face-to-
face and attempt to work out their serious differences through direct 
and constructive exchange.
  Second, this Member believes the people of Taiwan have earned the 
respect and admiration of people throughout the world and deserve our 
greatest praise. They have embraced democratic reforms with the same 
enthusiasm and good sense that have driven Taiwan's economy to its 
current heights. In addition, the people of Taiwan conducted themselves 
with great courage and resolve throughout the crisis created by 
Beijing's heavy-handed effort to bully them through provocative live 
fire exercises and missile tests.
  Finally, this Member would make an editorial comment about the 
message that Taiwan's successful transition to democracy holds for all 
of Asia. Nothing belies the notion that democratic principles are alien 
to traditional Asian values better than what has transpired in Taiwan 
during the last 10 years. Taiwan joins Korea, Thailand, Mongolia, and 
the Philippines, in various stages of democratic development, as an 
important success story in Asian democracy and human rights. The 
success of Taiwan's democratic development demonstrates clearly that 
democracy and economic development are compatible and mutually 
reinforcing.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member, therefore, supports this important and 
timely resolution.

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