[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 13 (Thursday, February 5, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TAIWAN'S PEACE REFERENDUM

  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, for the past 54 years, Taiwan and the 
United States have been allies in the international arena, democratic 
partners and friends. In times of need and turmoil, both countries have 
always come to each other's aid. In the aftermath of the September 11 
terrorist attacks, Taiwan immediately offered help to Americans through 
the U.S. Government. In recent months, Taiwan has offered humanitarian 
aid to post-war Iraq.
  Today Taiwan is being threatened. Taiwan's planned referendum on 
March 20, 2004 has been called a move toward Taiwan independence. Some 
say it will push Taiwan to the ``abyss of war.'' Such rhetoric is a 
distortion of Taiwan's true intentions. In the face of an overwhelming 
military threat against Taiwan, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's peace 
referendum asks Taiwan voters whether they should buy more anti-missile 
weapons if the People's Republic of China refuses to withdraw its 496 
missiles targeted at Taiwan and whether Taiwan should open up talks 
with the People's Republic of China about issues of peace.
  Taiwan's democratically elected president, President Chen, has made 
it clear that he continues to hold to the ``five no's'' of his 
inauguration speech, including the promise not to hold a plebiscite on 
the issue of Taiwanese independence. The referendum merely aims to 
avoid war, free its people from fear and maintain the status quo.
  Taiwan, our ally and friend, is a democracy. Its people have every 
right to hold their referendum this March 20. Taiwan's referendum law 
is a basic democratic right that the United States should support 
rather than denigrate. The future of Taiwan must be determined 
peacefully, with the express consent of the people of Taiwan. Since its 
establishment, the United States has been the foremost champion of 
liberty and democracy in the world. We can, therefore, not afford to 
tell the people of Taiwan not to hold a referendum. There can be no 
double standard when it comes to exercising democracy.

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