[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 25 (Tuesday, March 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN SUPPORT OF TAIWAN'S MARCH 20, 2004 REFERENDUM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2004

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
Taiwanese government's decision to hold a referendum on March 20, 2004, 
thus allowing their citizens to exhibit a true expression of democracy. 
It is clearly in the best interests of the United States to promote the 
spread of democracy, and to defend democracy wherever it exists, and I 
therefore urge my colleagues as well as the current Administration to 
support Taiwan's right to hold this referendum free from intimidation 
or threat of force from any nation.
  In 2001, President Bush declared that America would do whatever it 
takes to defend Taiwan. Now it is time for us to act on this promise, 
not by a show of military force but by a show of vocal support for 
Taiwan's desire to express its democratic form of government. On March 
20, 2004, Taiwan plans to hold a referendum to ask voters two questions 
on governmental relations with the PRC. First, Taiwanese citizens will 
be asked if they agree that their government should acquire more 
advanced anti-missile weapons to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense 
capabilities if the PRC refuses to remove the missiles it currently has 
targeting Taiwan. Second, they will be asked if they are in favor of 
negotiations with the PRC to reach a peaceful resolution to cross-
strait differences. The people of Taiwan, and not the Government of the 
People's Republic of China, should have the sole right and 
responsibility for determining the future of Taiwan. Within this right 
of self-determination for the Taiwanese people lies the undeniable 
right of the Taiwanese government to hold referenda votes, when 
necessary, to assist the government in making key decisions that will 
effect the lives of their constituency.
  As a democracy, Taiwan has shown great promise. Over the past 
decades, Taiwan has gone from having a one-party, martial law 
dictatorship to a growing democracy that has shown great respect for 
human rights and freedoms. It has also become a strong ally of the 
United States as well as a stabilizing democratic force in the Asian 
Pacific region. Now, Taiwan is in need of American assistance to 
preserve and defend the democratic form of government that it has 
worked so hard to create.
  President Woodrow Wilson once said, ``Just what is it that America 
stands for? If she stands for one thing more than another it is for the 
sovereignty of self-governing people.'' Mr. Speaker, as the foremost 
promoter of democracy and a country that stands for the sovereignty of 
the people, the United States cannot allow the collective voice of the 
Taiwanese people to be muffled due to intimidation from the People's 
Republic of China. It is the right of the Taiwanese people to be the 
sovereign rulers of their fate. I urge my colleagues and the 
administration to support this right as well as the growth of democracy 
in Taiwan.

                          ____________________