[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CALLING FOR TAIWAN'S RETURN TO THE UNITED NATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2003

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, as the 58th session of the United Nations 
General Assembly convenes this week, I rise to recognize the 
accomplishments of the Republic of China on Taiwan and call for its 
rightful return as a member of the U.N.
  Taiwan has become a stable, democratic presence in Asia, a bulwark of 
support for human rights and a world economic power. It is a thriving 
multi-party democracy, with free and fair elections held at all levels 
of government. Taiwan also has a thriving capitalist economy. It is now 
the United States' eighth largest trading partner and a major investor 
in East Asia.
  The R.O.C. has long demonstrated its commitment to the well being of 
the international community. It has a history of heeding calls by the 
U.N. for emergency relief and assistance to countries that suffer 
disasters and wars. Its generosity and humanitarianism have included 
Kosovar refugees, Afghanistan reconstruction, Iraqi food supplies, the 
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, and victims of natural and man-made 
disasters in El Salvador, Turkey, Nicaragua, and New York City in the 
wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
  Denying Taiwan U.N. membership is not in the best interests of the 
world community. The memberships of the now unified East Germany and 
West Germany and the divided Republic of Korea and the Democratic 
People's Republic of Korea are examples of parallel representations of 
divided nations in the U.N. The U.N.'s role in exchanges between East 
and West Germany assisted in the eventual unification of the country in 
1990.
  Taiwan's membership in the UN will have enormous benefits for the 
international community and it is imperative that this unfair and 
untenable situation be resolved.

                          ____________________