[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE RE-ELECTION OF TAIWAN PRESIDENT CHEN 
                               SHUI-BIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SULLIVAN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2005

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, one year ago Chen Shui-bian was re-elected 
as President of Taiwan. The election was evidence that Taiwan is a 
vibrant democracy in an area of the world where totalitarianism is 
still the rule for the vast majority of the people in East Asia.
  I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the one year 
anniversary of President Chen's re-election, to offer my 
congratulations to the people of Taiwan and to reflect on the current 
state of affairs on Taiwan and across the Taiwan straits with China.
  Earlier this year China passed its anti-secession law, codifying the 
use of force if Taiwan moves toward independence. At the moment, there 
is a heated debate on Taiwan regarding the recent visits of Taiwan's 
two opposition leaders to China. This debate is further evidence of the 
strength of Taiwan's democracy. President Chen and other opponents of 
reunification have been steadfast in demanding that the people of 
Taiwan must be safeguarded. I am confident President Chen will not 
waiver on his longstanding position of protecting Taiwan.
  Mr. Speaker, Americans treasure our affiliations and relations with 
Taiwan just as we admire Taiwan's political and economic achievements 
of the last two decades. Taiwan today is a beacon of democracy and an 
island of prosperity to many developing countries in East Asia and 
throughout the world.
  The Taiwanese people, as Americans know, strongly value their 
democratic way of life and their independence. It is vital that no 
action be taken which would compromise these long cherished principles 
which were developed after decades of hard work. I also applaud 
President Chen for pointing out the critical differences between 
democratic Taiwan and autocratic China and the importance of conducting 
direct talks by elected leaders in Taiwan and China.
  Mr. Speaker, while we do not know when the leader of Taiwan and the 
leader of China will have direct talks, I believe it is critical for 
China to immediately withdraw its missiles which are deployed on the 
other side of the Taiwan Strait and establish stable mechanisms for 
cross-strait interaction. These actions will go a long way toward 
reaching a permanent peace and creating sustainable development in the 
Taiwan Strait.
    




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