[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TAIWAN'S LEADERSHIP ON GLOBAL ISSUES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2008

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Madam Speaker, in the 6\1/2\ years since terrorists 
attacked the American homeland, our government has undertaken a series 
of steps to prepare for, deter, and ultimately stop future attacks from 
occurring. In advancing these objectives, it has been essential to 
partner with like-minded nations to ensure security and freedom for all 
our citizens. In this regard, I would like to take the opportunity to 
express the appreciation of many in the Congress to President Chen 
Shui-bian of Taiwan as he prepares to leave office later this month.
  During President Chen's time in office, Taiwan has demonstrated time 
and again its commitment to global security and cooperation. Such 
actions have been forthcoming despite the preoccupation of an 
existential threat facing it from across the Taiwan Strait.
  After 9/11, Taiwan immediately opened its airspace to U.S. military 
aircraft transiting Pacific routes to Afghanistan. It subsequently 
partnered with our government and others in the Container Security 
Initiative, which seeks to prevent illicit cargo from reaching rogue 
entities around the world. Furthermore, Taiwan has committed over $100 
million to recovery efforts in Afghanistan, making it one of the most 
significant contributors to coalition efforts there.
  Recognizing that global security can be advanced in a variety of 
ways, Taiwan has been a leader in addressing public health issues 
internationally. Struck by SARS in 2003, Taiwan acted swiftly to share 
information with other nations that helped limit its spread. Soon 
thereafter, Taiwan's experience in tackling avian flu was again made 
available to the international community in order to deter that 
contagion's deadly proliferation.
  Beyond these multilateral efforts, Taiwan has also developed one of 
the most extensive bilateral development assistance programs in the 
world. For instance, it has established 36 long-term technical missions 
in 30 partner countries, focusing on capacity building, agriculture, 
fisheries, horticulture, livestock, handicrafts, medicine, 
transportation, industry, mining, electricity generation, printing, 
vocational training, trade and investment. Taiwan allocates 
approximately 100,000 tons of rice annually as humanitarian foreign 
aid. After the South Asia tsunami occurred in December 2004, the 
Taiwanese government provided $50 million in initial relief assistance, 
and cooperated with international non-governmental organizations in 
additional relief efforts. It also provided more than 355 tons of 
relief materials to tsunami-affected countries.
  These and other measures undertaken by Taiwan over the past several 
years are to be commended. Under the leadership of President Chen, his 
government has served as a model for others seeking to play a 
constructive role in the international community. I encourage continued 
leadership by Taiwan as a new president prepares to assume office, and 
can assure him of America's enduring partnership in these efforts.

                          ____________________