[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10008]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 10008]]

                       ``AN S.O.S. FROM TAIWAN''

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DeLAY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 1999

  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a very important 
piece of legislation together with Representatives Andrews, Gilman, 
Deutsch, Rohrabacher, Wu, Cox, Jefferson, Diaz-Balart, Lowey, Chris 
Smith, Hunter, Burton, Cook, and Dave Weldon.
  This bill gives Taiwan a fighting chance to defend itself from a 
potential Chinese invasion. The Taiwan Security Enhancement Act we are 
introducing today also stabilizes Taiwan by strengthening U.S.-
Taiwanese cooperation.
  The Far East is no less pressing than the Middle East or Eastern 
Europe, where we are heavily involved now. Stability of the entire 
Asian region is predicated on a balance of power that keeps China in 
check.
  The May 24, 1999, issue of Defense News reports that China could be 
planning a new round of military exercises and missile tests across the 
Taiwan Strait in response to American bombing of the Chinese Embassy in 
Belgrade.
  Typically, no U.S. action has been undertaken in the past to 
discourage these movements because the Administration's Taiwan policy 
has been missing-in-action for years. Habitual appeasement of China has 
grown into an addiction that now seriously threatens global security.
  Despite President Clinton's claim a few weeks ago that the People's 
Republic is not a threat, Chinese intentions to the contrary are clear. 
They have been saber rattling for years.
  A clear message was sent when China fired missile tests off the coast 
of Taiwan in 1995 and 1996. Since then, a massive Chinese missile and 
military logistical buildup across the Taiwan Straits has served as a 
constant threat. Waiting for the next shoe to fall before acting would 
be a costly mistake.
  The image of Red Army tanks rolling into Hong Kong should not be 
forgotten. Neither should the threat by a high-ranking Chinese general 
to nuke Los Angeles if we interfere in Taiwan.
  Adding legitimacy to these loose lips, the Chinese military held 
practice missile attack exercises against mock U.S. troops just six 
months ago.
  Ever since the annexation of Hong Kong and Macau, consuming Taiwan 
has become a pressing goal for the expansionist communist government in 
Beijing. An ounce of prevention now will save a ton of band-aid cures 
after-the-fact. There will be no way to oust the Chinese should they 
ever take Taiwan.
  The Taiwanese are not asking us to send troops.
  They are not asking us to bomb other sovereign nations.
  They simply need strategic military advice, technological expertise 
and access to purchase appropriate American defense systems so they can 
defend themselves. United States policy must bolster the independence 
of this little nation.
  A few reasonable measures of cooperation would go a long way for the 
island's defense.
  For example, the United States should sell diesel submarines to 
Taiwan, which is outnumbered in the seas 65 to 4 by the mainland's 
forces.
  Likewise, there is a dire need for air defense that could be 
rectified by the sale of American-made AIM 120 missiles, long-range 
radar and satellite warning data.
  Enhanced military exchanges would forge a cohesive defense plan 
between our nations.
  But, acquiescing to pressure from Beijing, the Clinton Administration 
refuses to sell these systems and take these steps despite a massive 
Chinese military buildup.
  The Defense Intelligence Agency reports that the People's Liberation 
Army is currently deploying approximately 650 new short-range missile 
systems directly across the straits. There are 150 such missiles aimed 
at Taiwan already in addition to fevered construction of new fighter 
planes, warships and subs.
  Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States committed to 
providing a defense capability to Taiwan based upon their defense 
needs. The need is pressing--the time to act on this promise is now.
  Appealing to the chivalrous instincts of Americans, the Clinton 
Administration plants troops all over the world under the guise of 
defending the proverbial little guy from aggressive bully nations.
  Supposedly, that is what we are doing in the Balkans--but bombs 
flying on Belgrade do not erase American responsibility elsewhere. The 
Taiwan Security Enhancement Act honors our commitment to stability in 
Taiwan by increasing cooperation between U.S. and Taiwanese militaries, 
and increasing sales of defensive technology and weaponry while 
prohibiting reductions in arms sales.
  Mr. Speaker, American prestige is not only on the line in the 
Balkans. We must honor our commitments in the Taiwan Strait. I urge all 
of my colleagues to support the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act.

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