[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CURRENT STATUS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, in the last ninety years, Taiwan and the 
United States of America have been allies, partners, and friends. In 
times of need and turmoil, both countries have always come to each 
other's aid. In the aftermath of the tragedies of September 11th, 2001 
Taiwan immediately offered condolences to the victims of those 
terrorist attacks, expressed shock over the attacks and condemned such 
violence. Moreover, to show solidarity with the American people, 
Taiwan's government ordered flags be flown at half-mast for two days, 
took every action to protect U.S. citizens on the island, including 
stepped-up security at the American Institute in Taiwan, and asked all 
Taiwan offices in the U.S. to cancel their National Day celebrations.
  Today Taiwan is under pressure by China. China accuses Taiwan's 
planned peace referendum as a move toward Taiwanese independence and 
says it would push Taiwan to the ``abyss of war.'' Such rhetoric is a 
clear distortion of Taiwan's true intent. In the face of an 
overwhelming military threat against Taiwan, Taiwanese president Chen 
Shui-bian in this referendum is asking his voters whether they should 
buy more anti-missile weapons if China refuses to withdraw missiles 
targeted at Taiwan and whether Taiwan should open up talks with China 
about issues of peace.
  Taiwan has no intention to provoke China into conflict. It merely 
aims to avoid war and free its people from the fear that they now face 
on a daily basis. Taiwan, our ally and friend, is a democracy with a 
competitive party system and they should have the inherent right to 
self-determine their own policies and the future of the island without 
the prospect of fear. I sincerely urge a continuation of peace across 
the Taiwan straits as well as the good relations between the Taiwanese 
people and Americans.

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