[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CURRENT CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2006

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, last spring, China passed the 
anti-secession law to give Chinese leaders the right to use force 
against Taiwan if they suspect separatist activities in Taiwan. The 
deployment of more than 700 missiles along the southeast coast 
indicates that China still stubbornly clings to a military solution to 
the Taiwan issue. Mr. Speaker, military intimidation over Taiwan is no 
solution to the cross-strait relations.
  China must learn to respect the aspirations of Taiwan's 23 million 
people who want to be masters of their own land. China must not block 
Taiwan's attempts to gain international recognition or to return to 
international organizations. Taiwan is a free and democratic nation and 
deserves to be treated with respect by the international community.
  Recently, President Chen proposed to prudently think over abolishing 
all ad hoc institutions under the Office of the President that were not 
established by law. One of those programs, the National Unification 
Commission (NUC), has long had its effectiveness in question and he 
doesn't want to see unification become the only option for the cross-
straits relations.
  President Chen is a man of peace who has reaffirmed his commitment to 
maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait on many occasions. His 
goal of reducing tension between Taiwan and China remains unchanged. It 
is my hope that China will reciprocate Chen's olive branch by 
renouncing the use of force against Taiwan and resuming dialogue on 
equal footing and without pre-conditions.

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