[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REPRESENTATION OF TAIWAN IN THE UNITED NATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, one of the most challenging issues facing 
the United Nations General Assembly this fall is representation of 
Taiwan in the United Nations. U.N. Resolution 2758 (XXVI) of October 
25, 1971, which seated the People's Republic of China in the United 
Nations, did not properly address the Taiwan issue. Recently, China has 
indicated its willingness to allow Taiwan to join the United Nations 
but only if Taiwan acknowledges the ``one-China'' policy.
  Since the U.N. Resolution in 1971, Taiwan has not had the opportunity 
to join the most powerful and influential group of nations in the 
world, the United Nations, and this has caused harm for the people of 
Taiwan. They have been denied the right to be a part of U.N. work and 
activities. For example, while Taiwan is willing and able to contribute 
its resources to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, Taiwan has been 
denied the chance to participate in U.N. sponsored HIV/AIDS conferences 
and other similar health organization gatherings. Taiwan has also been 
denied access to major international conferences such as the 
development conference held in Monterrey, Mexico in March 2002, and the 
U.N. General Assembly Special Session on Children in May 2002. In 
truth, Taiwan's exclusion from the U.N. raises serious concerns about 
the rights of the Taiwanese people under the U.N. Charter, the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international human 
rights provisions.
  Mr. Speaker, we must continue to speak out in support of Taiwan. 
Taiwan is a sovereign state and conducts full diplomatic relations with 
27 member states of the United Nations. Moreover, Taiwan has membership 
in a number of major international organizations, including the World 
Trade Organization. Taiwan should be recognized for what it is--a 
nation that shares democratic values with the United States and a 
nation that deserves active participation in the United Nations.

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