[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CHRIS BELL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2004

  Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support of efforts by 
the Taiwanese President and people to facilitate a peaceful, stable, 
and democratic environment in East Asia. Despite continued aggression 
by the People's Republic of China, Taiwan has maintained grace and 
sensibility. For this, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of 
President Chen Shui-bian and the Taiwanese people.
  On March 20, 2004, the Taiwanese people will vote on a referendum for 
peace, which will consist of two questions. One is:

       Would you agree that our Government should engage in 
     negotiations with Mainland China on the establishment of a 
     ``peace and stability'' framework for cross-strait 
     interactions in order to build consensus and for the welfare 
     of the people on both sides?

  This would be the first official communication between Taiwan and 
China since 1949, a historic attempt at conciliation between two 
sparring nations. I would remind my colleagues of the Taiwan Relations 
Act of 1979, in which we put forth the expectation that ``the future of 
Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means'' and state that ``any 
effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means . 
. . is of grave concern to the United States.'' As Taiwan makes a 
sincere effort to improve relations with Mainland China and support a 
peaceful continuation of the status quo, we must applaud and support 
them.
  The other referendum question is:

       The people of Taiwan demand that the Taiwan Strait issue be 
     resolved through peaceful means. Should Mainland China refuse 
     to withdraw the missiles it has targeted at Taiwan and to 
     openly renounce the use of force against us, would you agree 
     that the Government should acquire more advanced anti-missile 
     weapons to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense capabilities?

  This referendum is neither provocative nor a move toward Taiwanese 
independence. It constitutes an effort to prevent Mainland China from 
using force and unilaterally changing the status quo. China has never 
renounced the use of force in the Taiwan Straits and has 496 missiles 
targeting Taiwan. I urge China to withdraw those missiles, which upset 
the military balance in the Taiwan Straits and whose continued presence 
demonstrates China's hostile approach to cross-straits relations.
  Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: 
``Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.'' 
Taiwan has the right to voice its concerns and to protect itself from 
harm. A nonviolent resolution of the Taiwan Straits issue is Taiwan's 
ultimate goal. This peace referendum is the first step in that process 
and the right of the Taiwanese people.
  In the Taiwan Relations Act, we reaffirmed our nation's commitment to 
``the preservation of human rights of the Taiwanese people.'' Now is 
the time to stand behind that statement. For President Chen Shui-bian's 
work to create a stable, peaceful, and democratic environment in the 
region, he deserves our recognition and support.

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