[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E759-E760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E759]]



HONORING AMERICAN VETERANS' GROUPS WHO HAVE VOICED THEIR OPPOSITION TO 
                             PNTR FOR CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2000

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank 
all of the veterans' groups which have courageously voiced their 
opposition to granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations for China.
  These organizations represent over 5.1 million members, who have 
fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. They have the national security 
of the United States at heart. I want to enter into the Record their 
letters, which explain why granting PNTR to China could ultimately 
place American men and women in uniform in harm's way.

               China Trade Opposed by The American Legion

       Indianapolis (Wednesday, May 10, 2000).--Taking into 
     account nuclear espionage charges, human rights abuses, saber 
     rattling against Taiwan, and influence-peddling indictments, 
     the 2.8-million member American Legion today demanded the 
     U.S. government withhold Permanent Normalized Trade Relations 
     with the People's Republic of China and oppose its entry into 
     the World Trade Organization.
       The American Legion's board of directors, during its annual 
     spring meeting here, recommended Congress and the Clinton 
     administration force China to meet four preconditions both 
     for entry into the WTO and for ending the annual 
     congressional review of its trade status:
       Recognition of Taiwan's right to self-determination;
       Full cooperation on the accounting of American servicemen 
     missing from the Korean War and the Cold War;
       Abandonment of policies aimed at military dominance in 
     Asia; and
       Encouragement and promotion of human rights and religious 
     freedom among the Chinese people.
       ``China should embrace democratic values before it benefits 
     from unfettered American investment,'' American Legion 
     National Commander Al Lance said. ``The American Legion sets 
     forth the prerequisites for peace and stability, without 
     which Communist China will become economically and militarily 
     more formidable even as it embarks on policies pursuant to 
     regional instability. A something-for-nothing trade 
     arrangement with China--one that severs trade from national 
     security and human rights--threatens stability, rewards 
     antagonism, and strengthens a potential foe of American sons 
     and daughters in the U.S. armed forces.''
       Founded in 1919, The American legion is the nation's 
     largest veterans organization.

                                  ____
                                  

                                          Veterans of Foreign Wars


                                         of the United States,

                                     Washington, DC, May 17, 2000.
     To: All Members of the United States House of 
         Representatives, 106th U.S. Congress:
       The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States opposes 
     Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. China's policies 
     and actions over the past several years have not demonstrated 
     that it is ready to become a permanent-trading partner of the 
     United States.
       Passage of the China Trade Bill would end annual 
     congressional review of China's access to U.S. markets and 
     give it permanent trade relations with the United States. 
     While this bill might provide certain economic benefits and 
     advantages to some American companies, it could hurt other 
     American industries and may cost many Americans their jobs. 
     Permanent Normal Trade relations with the United States 
     should be earned by China, not given away. Essentially this 
     bill rewards China for mistreating its citizens, violating 
     its current trade agreements, threatening its neighbors and 
     the United States with military action, proliferating weapons 
     of mass destruction, stealing nuclear, military and 
     industrial secrets from the United States, increasing 
     espionage against the U.S., and practicing religious 
     oppression. We believe this bill sends the wrong message to 
     China and the rest of the world.
       Now is not the proper time to grant China Permanent Normal 
     Trade Relations. The United States should maintain its 
     current annual congressional review of China's trade status 
     until such time as China changes its policy and demonstrates 
     that it is ready to treat its people according to the basic 
     human rights standards of other modern industrial nations.
       A vote against Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China 
     will send a clear message that the United States does not 
     tolerate China's persistent human rights violations, and will 
     not agree with its proliferation of missile technology and 
     weapons of mass destruction, its military threats against the 
     United States and other countries in the Pacific region 
     including repeated threats made against Taiwan.
           Respectfully,
                                                    John W. Smart,
                                               Commander-in-Chief.

                                  ____
                                  

                                                       AMVETS,

                                         Lanham, MD, May 16, 2000.
     Hon. Frank R. Wolf,
     Member of Congress, House of Representatives, Cannon House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Wolf: AMVETS, the nation's fourth 
     largest veterans organization, represents more than 200,000 
     veterans who honorably served in the Armed Forces of the 
     United States, and opposes Permanent Normal Trade Relations 
     (PNTR) for China.
       While the U.S. relationship with China is important, AMVETS 
     believes that national security issues take precedence over 
     the trade relations with foreign countries. We concur in your 
     belief that our nation cannot afford to give leverage to the 
     Republic of China--which exports weapons of mass destruction 
     and missiles, maintains spy presence in the U.S. and 
     continues to threaten Taiwan with military force.
       When Congress votes in the House during the week of May 22, 
     let is be known that AMVETS says ``no'' to the Permanent 
     Normal Trade Relations for China.
           Sincerely,
                                                Charles L. Taylor,
                                    National Commander, 1999-2000.

                                  ____
                                  

                                    Fleet Reserve Association,

                                   Alexandria, VA, April 21, 2000.
     Hon. Christopher H. Smith, M.C.,
     House of Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Smith: Please be advised that the Fleet 
     Reserve Association (FRA), representing its 151,000 members, 
     all career and retired Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen 
     of the United States Armed Forces, joins you and your 
     colleagues in opposing Permanent Normal Trade Relations 
     (PNTR) for China.
       FRA shares your concern that weapons of mass destruction 
     exported by that country can be used against U.S. military 
     personnel, and also our Nation's citizens. Further, China 
     already has obtained considerable knowledge of our Nation's 
     weapons technology without normal trade relations. Should the 
     United States open its door to normal trade relations, it is 
     worrisome that China will discover even more of that 
     sensitive information.
       One of the most important goals of this Association is to 
     protect its members as well as every active duty and reserve 
     uniformed member of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. 
     To fulfill that commitment, FRA must do all that it can to 
     oppose any move that could possibly send those brave men and 
     women into harms way without ``rhyme or reason.'' With the 
     possibility that the future will hand dark shadows over open 
     trading with a yet unproven China, FRA is sensitive to the 
     harm that country may inflict upon our Nation.
       Loyalty, Protection, and Service,
                                               Charles L. Calkins,
                                     National Executive Secretary.

                                  ____
                                  

                                      Reserve Officers Association


                                         of the United States,

                                   Washington, DC, April 27, 2000.
     Hon. Frank R. Wolf,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Wolf: The Reserve Officers Association 
     (``ROA''), representing 80,000 officers in all seven 
     Uniformed Services, is concerned about the proposal to grant 
     Permanent Normal Trade Relations (``PNTR'') to China.
       ROA acknowledges the importance of our relationship with 
     China, including our growing economic ties to China. 
     Nevertheless, ROA believes that it would be a mistake to 
     grant PNTR to China at this time. The annual process of 
     reviewing trade relations with China provides Congress with 
     leverage over Chinese behavior on national security and human 
     rights matters. Granting PNTR would deprive Congress of the 
     opportunity to influence China to improve its human rights 
     record and behave as a more responsible actor on the national 
     security stage.
       Just within the past few weeks, China has made military 
     threats against Taiwan and threatened military action against 
     the United States if we defend Taiwan. Just four years ago, 
     China fired several live missiles in the Taiwan Strait, 
     necessitating a deployment of two American carrier battle 
     groups to the area.
       A report issued last month by the CIA and FBI indicates 
     that Beijing has increased its military spying against the 
     United States.

[[Page E760]]

     Less than a year ago, the Cox Committee reported that China 
     stole classified information regarding advanced American 
     thermonuclear weapons.
       Additionally, Beijing has exported weapons of mass 
     destruction to Iran and north Korea, in violation of treaty 
     commitments. Finally, China's record of human rights abuses 
     is well documented.
       A recent Harris Poll revealed that fully 79% of the 
     American people oppose giving China permanent access to U.S. 
     markets until China meets human rights and labor standards. 
     On this issue, Congress should respect the wisdom of the 
     American people. Now is not the time to grant Permanent 
     Normal Trade Relations to China.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Jayson L. Spiege,
                                               Executive Director.

                                  ____
                                  

                                    Naval Reserve Association,

                                      Alexandria, VA, May 9, 2000.
     Hon. Frank R. Wolf,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Wolf: The Naval Reserve Association and 
     the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association work together as 
     affiliates to represent 37,000 officers and enlisted members 
     from the Naval Reserve services. They are representative of 
     the 89,000 Selected Reservists, the 4,500 non-pay Drilling 
     Reservists (VTU), and the 91,000 Individual Ready Reservists 
     (IRR), as well as the Retired Reserve community.
       As a resource to the U.S. Military, our membership is 
     concerned with our relationship with China. Decisions made 
     today will be affecting the political-military balance in the 
     Pacific for the next 50 years. The Peoples Republic of China 
     may well be a rival.
       Building its economy on the backs of its People, China is 
     also willing to risk world stability. To generate hard 
     currency, the PRC is selling weapons systems to Third World 
     nations, including many considered rogue states in nature.
       China is aggressively building its military. The PRC's 
     ambitions include reunification by force with Taiwan, and 
     territorial claim over the energy resources in the 
     international waters of the South China Sea.
       The process of reviewing trade relations with China each 
     year is an opportunity for Congress to influence the behavior 
     of China on matters of national security and human rights.
       China is the largest of four surviving Communist 
     governments in the world today. Human Rights of its citizens 
     continue to be violated. Evidence exists of Chinese espionage 
     within the U.S. Government and Industry. The PCR has effected 
     political influence to manipulate U.S. policy. An annual 
     trade review provides an element of counter balance.
       Trade between nations helps maintain diplomatic dialogue 
     and exposes a country's citizenry to outside ideas as well as 
     products. Commerce with China is growing in importance for a 
     number of U.S. Corporations. As a nation, we should continue 
     to expand the marketplace, but not carte blanche. Now is not 
     the time to offer Permanent Normal Trade Relationships (PNTR) 
     for China.
     Marshall Hanson,
                                          Director of Legislation.
     Dennis F. Pierman,
                                               Executive Director.

                                  ____
                                  

                                                 Military Order of


                                             the Purple Heart,

                                                     May 15, 2000.
     Hon. Frank R. Wolf,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Wolf: The Military Order of the Purple 
     Heart (MOPH), representing the patriotic interests of its 
     30,000 members and the 600,000 living recipients of the 
     Purple Heart, is seriously concerned with the 
     Administration's proposal to grant Permanent Normal Trade 
     Relations (PNTR) status to the Peoples Republic of China.
       The MOPH is familiar with the current series of U.S. 
     Government reports concerning China to include: the Cox 
     Committee Report, the Rumsfield Commission Report, the 1999 
     Intelligence Community Report on Arms Proliferation, and 
     Chairman Spence's May 2000 HASC National Security Report on 
     China. These and other similar security assessments clearly 
     indicate that China, as an international actor, continues to 
     behave in a manner that is threatening to international 
     stability and U.S. national security interests.
       Given the broad consensus that has formed about this issue, 
     to include the recent Harris Poll indicating 79% of all 
     Americans are against granting PNTR status to China, the MOPH 
     believes it both prudent and reasonable to delay the granting 
     of PNTR status to China at this time. Speaking as patriots 
     and combat wounded veterans, we believe that granting PNTR 
     status to China would relieve them from the current pressure 
     caused by annual Congressional review of their trade status. 
     Clearly, Congressional review has caused China to improve its 
     dismal human rights record and to modify to some extent its 
     proliferation of dangerous arms on the world market. Yet 
     these modifications must be seen as the beginning not the 
     end.
       Today, China represents the most dangerous of the emerging 
     threats to U.S. national security. Her designs on Western 
     Pacific dominance, her extreme belligerence towards Taiwan, 
     and her persistent espionage and theft of U.S. advanced 
     technologies are behaviors that must be checked before any 
     reasonable consideration of PNTR status can be undertaken.
       Many of America's combat wounded veterans sacrificed life 
     and blood to repel Chinese aggression during the Korean 
     Conflict. Fifty years after that war China remains an 
     unabashedly communistic regime. It is time for China to 
     change if she wishes to be a truly welcomed participant on 
     the world's stage. It is also time for Congress and the 
     Administration to reflect upon the sacrifices of its combat 
     wounded veterans and ensure that China will not once again 
     become our enemy. In the view of the MOPH this objective must 
     be reached before PNTR status should be granted to China.
       Yours in Patriotism,
                                          Frank G. Wickersham III,
                                    National Legislative Director.

                                  ____
                                  

                                 Warrant Officers Association,

                                         Herndon, VA, May 9, 2000.
     Hon. Frank R. Wolf,
     Member of Congress, House of Representatives, Cannon House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Wolf: On behalf of the membership of 
     this Association I write to express support and appreciation 
     of your actions, and that of several of your colleagues, in 
     opposing Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China.
       The USAWOA represents nearly 20,000 warrant officers of the 
     Active Army, the Army Guard, and the Army Reserve. These 
     highly-skilled men and women serve as helicopter pilots, 
     special forces team leaders, intelligence analysts, command 
     and control computer and communications managers, armament 
     and equipment repair technicians, and in other technical 
     fields critical to success of the modern battlefield. Daily, 
     many of them are in harm's way.
       From our perspective, it appears that China has done little 
     to deserve such consideration. Of more concern is the fact 
     that China shows few of the peaceful, democratic traits 
     evidenced by our Nation's other major trading partners. 
     Indeed, China appears to be striving to achieve not only 
     economic dominance of the Pacific Rim but also a significant 
     military advantage over her neighbors, and quite possibly, 
     the United States.
       In this instance, trade and economic considerations cannot 
     take precedence over the safety of our Nation and that of our 
     allies and friends. Until fundamental, lasting changes take 
     place in China, normalization of trade relations should not 
     take place.
           Respectfully,
                                                  Raymond A. Bell,
                                               Executive Director.

     

                          ____________________