[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 96 (Thursday, June 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1375-E1376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONCERNING THE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND FREEDOM OF THE PEOPLE OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, 54 years ago, on June 27, 1949, President 
Harry Truman deployed the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet to the Taiwan Strait to 
protect Taiwan against the possibility of an invasion by the People's 
Republic of China, PRC. Since then, we have committed ourselves to 
defending Taiwan, as enshrined in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. 
President Bush himself declared in 2001 that America would do whatever 
it takes to defend Taiwan. In light of the threat posed by the PRC's 
military buildup in Fukien, we must unequivocally stand by our promises 
to support Taiwan. America cannot afford to lose a democracy in such a 
volatile region--and the people of Taiwan cannot afford to lose their 
safety, security, and freedom.
  I rise today to call attention to an important resolution that I 
introduced today concerning the safety and security of Taiwan, and the 
right of Taiwan's 23 million people to determine their own future. In 
the past 2 decades, Taiwan has undergone a remarkable transformation 
from a one party, martial law dictatorship to a full-fledged democracy 
that respects human rights and human freedoms. Time and again, Taiwan 
has proven herself one of America's staunchest allies, recently 
pledging her support for continued humanitarian aid to both Afghanistan 
and Iraq. At the same time, however, Taiwan's democracy faces a serious 
military threat from the People's Republic of China. The PRC continues 
to regard Taiwan as a renegade province, despite the fact that it has 
never exercised control over the island. The PRC continues to openly 
entertain the use of force against Taiwan, thereby jeopardizing the 
stability of the entire Asian Pacific region.
  A Washington Post report of June 11, 2003, reveals the PRC's plans to 
build up its military for the purpose of ``unification with Taiwan.'' 
Already, the PRC has set up 400 short-range ballistic missiles in the 
province of Fukien, directly targeted at Taiwan, in addition to 
purchasing advanced weaponry systems, such as fighting aircrafts, 
submarines, and destroyers. The Washington Post reports that the PRC is 
accelerating its military acquisitions and notes that this buildup is 
``intended to create a force capable of bullying Taiwan and thwarting 
U.S. intervention in any conflict between China and Taiwan.'' In other 
words, the PRC is preparing to use force and coercion to take over a 
territory it has no legal right to, and to impose its totalitarian 
ideology on a people who have fought long and hard for their freedom, 
and who have no wish to live under Communist rule.

  The resolution I introduced today is a step towards protecting a 
fellow democracy from the threat of Chinese aggression. The resolution 
calls on the Bush administration to seek from the leaders of the PRC a 
public and immediate renunciation of any threat or use of force against 
Taiwan. This includes the dismantling of the Fukien missiles and other 
military apparatus designed to intimidate Taiwan. The administration 
must let the PRC government know that America will no longer tolerate 
the constant harassment targeted towards the people of Taiwan. If the 
PRC government refuses to dismantle the missiles, the administration 
should then authorize the release of the Aegis system to Taiwan, 
enabling Taiwan to defend itself against any Chinese attack.
  Mr. Speaker, these PRC missiles in Fukien province are not conducive 
to a peaceful resolution of current Taiwanese-Chinese relations. We can 
not expect the people of Taiwan to live their daily lives under such 
threatening and uncertain conditions. In the name of democracy, we must 
ensure that the future of Taiwan is determined peacefully, and with the 
expressed consent of the Taiwanese people. Also, I urge both my 
colleagues and the administration to support Taiwanese efforts to hold 
a referendum vote on the issue of admittance into the World Health 
Organization,

[[Page E1376]]

WHO. The people of Taiwan deserve to have their voices heard in this 
ongoing debate, the outcome of which will have a monumental effect on 
their health and well-being. As the foremost promoter of freedom and 
democracy around the world, we can not in good faith deter the people 
of Taiwan from holding their referendum. There can be no double 
standard when it comes to exercising democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, no group but the citizenry of Taiwan has the right to 
determine the future of Taiwan. I ask that my colleagues join me in 
supporting democracy for the Taiwanese people, and ensuring their 
safety and security. Let us ensure that it will never be necessary to 
send the 7th Fleet to the Taiwan Strait again.