[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1814]]
            SUPPORTING TAIWAN'S FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE U.N.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Mr. TANCREDO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Taiwan's full 
membership in the United Nations.
  Taiwan is an independent, peace loving, and democratic nation that 
enjoys formal diplomatic relations with more than twenty other nations. 
In addition, the island nation maintains informal bilateral relations 
with more than one hundred other countries, precisely because those 
other countries know that the government in Beijing does not--as it 
often asserts--speak for democratic Taiwan.
  Beijing often argues that Taiwan's 23 million people are represented 
by the unelected government of the People's Republic of China in 
international bodies like the United Nations as well. But the Beijing 
authorities routinely threaten to attack Taiwan, and have deployed more 
than 1,000 missiles on its southeastern coast aimed directly at the 
island. So while it might be politically expedient for China to argue 
that it represents Taiwan, no fair-minded person or government could 
honestly be expected to believe such a preposterous claim. And of 
course, most countries realize this.
  As I mentioned earlier, while Taiwan's government enjoys formal 
diplomatic ties with some two dozen nations, Taipei maintains more than 
100 quasi-embassies or ``trade offices'' in nearly every country in the 
world. And most of these countries--including the United States--
maintain a reciprocal mission in Taiwan's capital, Taipei. Why? The 
reason is obvious: because we all realize that the totalitarian 
government of China doesn't really speak for the people of democratic 
Taiwan.
  The United Nations is no different.
  Madam Speaker, Taiwan's new government has attempted to strike a more 
conciliatory tone this year, asking only for Taiwan's participation in 
U.N. affiliated agencies rather than for full membership. This modest 
proposal is a good start, and I hope the Bush Administration will 
direct our U.N. representative to support it.
  Should Taiwan be successful in its quest for meaningful participation 
in the United Nations this year, I sincerely hope that they will build 
on that success by applying for full U.N. membership next year. After 
all, Taiwan maintains its own military, elects its own leaders, 
conducts its own foreign affairs, controls its own territory, has a 
larger population than Australia, and boasts one of the most dynamic 
economies in the world.
  Simply put, Taiwan is more than qualified for membership, and eager 
to make a meaningful contribution.
  As a democratic friend and ally of Taiwan, the United States should 
be among those speaking up for Taiwan. We should make it clear to the 
other member states that we believe it is unfair to exclude Taiwan and 
its 23 million citizens from the world community--and that Taiwan's 
membership poses no threat to China, or the achievement of a peaceful 
and equitable solution to Cross-Strait differences.

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