[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 122 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1669]]
 EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE 
                             UNITED NATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 3, 2000

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises in strong support of H. 
Con. Res. 390. This Member would first like to express his sincere 
appreciation to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado [Mr. 
Schaffer] for introducing this resolution on September 6, 2000 and for 
working with this Member and staff on a limited number of modifications 
to the resolution as introduced. In addition, this Member would also 
like to thank the distinguished Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on 
Asia and the Pacific [Mr. Lantos], the distinguished Chairman of the 
Committee on International Relations [Mr. Gilman] and the Committee's 
distinguished Ranking Member [Mr. Gejdenson], for supporting this 
resolution and moving it expeditiously forward to the House Floor for 
consideration.
  House Concurrent Resolution 390 expresses this body's strong support 
for Taiwan's participation in the United Nations and other 
international organizations, including the World Health Organization 
(WHO). The resolution correctly notes that the 23 million people on 
Taiwan have much to contribute--both substantively and financially--to 
the work of international organizations. Clearly, the people on Taiwan 
should also benefit from the work of the international organizations as 
do all members of the world community.
  In addition, H. Con. Res. 390 recognizes Taiwan's dramatic 
transformation into a multi-party democracy with a civil society which 
fully respects human rights and civil liberties. The resolution notes 
the most recent illustration of Taiwan's democratic development--the 
March 18, 2000, election of Mr. Chen Shui-bian as president and the 
peaceful transfer of power on Taiwan from one political party to 
another on May 20th with the inauguration of Mr. Chen.
  Certainly, Taiwan's economic achievements in the last 50 years also 
give Taiwan a special role in assisting developing economies and 
contributing to international organizations focused on economic, trade 
and development matters. Taiwan is the world's 13th largest economy 
with over $235 billion in two-way trade. Indeed, Taiwan already is an 
active and constructive member of the Asia Development Bank and APEC 
and has been an observer at the World Trade Organization since 1992.
  This year, on May 24, 2000, this body clearly and unequivocally spoke 
in favor of Taiwan's accession to the WTO as a full member by passing 
H.R. 4444. Given recent statements by representatives of the People's 
Republic of China, this Member wishes to reaffirm that legislation's 
commitment that the United States should be prepared to aggressively 
counter any attempt to delay, set conditions on, or block Taiwan's 
accession to the WTO. Our strong support for Taiwan's accession to the 
WTO is clear.
  The resolution also calls on the Clinton Administration to uphold the 
commitment made in its 1994 Taiwan Policy Review to more actively 
support Taiwan's participation in appropriate international 
organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, this Member notes that this body has 
repeatedly passed measures that call for greater participation by 
Taiwan in international organizations, in particular supporting 
Taiwan's participation in the United Nations, the World Health 
Organization, and the World Trade Organization, among others. As 
Chairman of the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, this Member believes it 
is worthwhile for this body to reaffirm its support and commitment to 
Taiwan's participation in these important international organizations. 
Therefore, this Member strongly supports the passage of H. Con. Res. 
390.

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