[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1964-E1965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE 87TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to congratulate 
the democratic government and the people of Taiwan, the Republic of 
China, on their 87th National Day which they celebrate on October 10, 
1998.
  Taiwan has much to celebrate this year, as it approaches the 
culmination of a decade marked by unparalleled economic growth, 
laudable political reforms, exceptional progress on human rights 
issues, and the general advancement of values cherished by free men and 
women around the world. Under the leadership of President Lee Teng-hui, 
Taiwan has been transformed not only into one of the world's most 
successful lands, but it has also been prepared to become one of the 
international community's foremost citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, it is long past time to allow this progression to reach 
its overdue culmination in the form of Taiwan's full participation in 
international organizations, including accession to the United Nation.
  It is nearly a century since the founder of the Republic of China, 
Dr. Sun Yat-sen, drafted the original plans for a free nation 
unencumbered by emperors and tyranny. The realization of Dr. Sun Yat-
sen's ideals and dreams did not occur with the swiftness he likely 
intended, as his republic's initial years witnessed lengthy civil wars, 
brutal invasions, and a series of unforseen obstacles that forced the 
ROC's government to relocate to Taiwan at the end of its fourth decade. 
Out of the ashes of this tragedy, however, came the drive and 
determination to advance the fortunes and welfare of the Taiwanese 
people, to prove by comparison that free enterprise and political 
freedoms work with greater efficiency and justice than Communist 
alternatives.
  President Lee's numerous and comprehensive reforms have provided 
unimpeachable evidence of this fact. He has limited government 
authority, repealing the extraordinary powers that were provided by 
outdated civil war decrees, and he has focused the government's 
responsibilities on issues such as technological investment and 
environmental protection. In addition, President Lee has led the 
Taiwanese people in the establishment of a diverse, competitive, multi-
party political system with a free press and respect for human rights. 
This process was capped by Taiwan's presidential election in 1996, 
when, for the first time in five millenniums of Chinese history, the 
head of state was directly elected by the people. Despite the dire 
warnings of those who opposed this evolution, Taiwan's economy and its 
people have flourished with these progressive changes.
  Taiwan's enrichment has not only benefitted its island's nearly 22 
million citizens; in addition, the ROC's largesse has aided developing 
nations and those suffering from humanitarian disasters as well. 
Whether operating a much-needed hospital in the strife-torn capital of 
the Central African Republic, contributing to the recovery of my home 
state of California after a devastating earthquake or, most recently, 
using its membership in the Asian Pacific Economic Community (APEC) to 
employ its vast

[[Page E1965]]

foreign exchange reserves to help ease the financial crisis suffered by 
its neighbors, Taiwan has proven its commitment to the welfare and 
health of the international community.

  Given this reality, Mr. Speaker, it is both unfortunate and unjust 
that Taiwan is still denied membership in the United Nations, the World 
Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and other 
multilateral bodies that would benefit from the Taiwan's active 
involvement. Regrettably, many of Taiwan's humanitarian contributions 
have been shunned or rejected as a consequence of this political 
inequity.
  In 1993, for example, the ROC's Department of Health pledged to 
donate $200,000 to a WHO/UNICEF program in order to provide vaccines 
for children of Kazakhstan and four other Central Asian republics. 
However, this donation was rejected because the ROC is not a member of 
the UN or the WHO. Mr. Speaker, it is tragic when children suffer 
because political obstinacy was more important than human welfare.
  Not only does Taiwan's exclusion for participation in international 
organizations harm other nations, it violates the fundamental 
international right that countries that are affected by multilateral 
cooperation agreements should have the right to participate in the 
crafting of these agreements. Taiwan, according to the UN itself, is 
one of the six largest high-sea fishing countries in the world, yet it 
was denied the opportunity to join in the negotiation and adoption of 
an important UN fish conservation agreement in 1995.
  In a similar situation, Taiwan's offer to become a signatory to the 
Montreal Protocol on the Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was 
refused, resulting in the threat of international economic sanctions 
against Taiwan--despite the ROC's unilateral implementation of the 
provisions of the Protocol. Mr. Speaker, the diplomatic anachronism of 
Taiwan's absolute exclusion from efforts of international cooperation 
must come to an end.
  Mr. Speaker, Taiwan's 88th year appears to hold great promise, as 
long-stalled talks with the People's Republic of China seem likely to 
continue in the near future. In addition, Taiwan's economy remains 
strong despite serious regional difficulties. The record of success of 
the Taiwanese people is unmistakably clear and strong.
  On this important anniversary, Mr. Speaker, I wish the people of 
Taiwan a glorious National Day and I wish the government of Taiwan the 
voice that it deserves in the international community.

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