[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23411]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 LET TAIWAN BACK IN THE UNITED NATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Republic 
of China on Taiwan's re-admission to the United Nations. For the last 
32 years, Taiwan's people have had no representation in the United 
Nations. It is incongruous that a world body founded on the principle 
of universality and self-determination excludes a free, democratic and 
independent nation of 23 million people--a population larger than three 
quarters of the U.N.'s current member states.
  Let's be clear. Taiwan does not seek the expulsion of the People's 
Republic of China from the United Nations, but asks only that it be 
given a voice at the U.N. There are well-established precedents for 
parallel representation of divided nations at the U.N. East and West 
Germany, now unified, and the still divided Republic of Korea and 
Democratic People's Republic of Korea are the outstanding examples.
  Taiwan's participation in international bodies is well documented as 
shown by its membership in the Asian Development Bank, its admission to 
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group as a full member, and its 
membership in the World Trade Organization.
  Taiwan possesses ample resources to contribute to the work and 
funding of the U.N. as shown in its many contributions of humanitarian 
aid. Such projects by Taiwan include relief supplies for Iraq and 
Afghanistan, AIDS prevention in Africa, the dispatch of rescue teams 
following natural disasters in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Turkey and 
assistance to victims of the 9/11 disaster here in the United States.
  Taiwan's accession to the United Nations is long overdue. Its 23 
million people deserve this important vehicle to full participation in 
the global community.
  As Taiwan bids to return to the United Nations, I wish to say that 1 
totally support Taiwan's aspirations to be a member of this global 
body. Taiwan has all the qualifications: a sound political system, a 
much-admired economy and a genuine desire to maintain peace and 
prosperity in East Asia and the world.
  With membership in the United Nations, Taiwan will become a truly 
useful international player, contributing its finances and ideas to 
combat nuclear proliferation, environmental abuses, and the spread of 
infectious diseases such as AIDS and SARS. As of now, Taiwan has not 
been invited to any of the various U.N.-sponsored conferences and 
programs on HIV/AIDS. Moreover, no U.N. bodies are willing to accept 
Taiwan's aid for Afghanistan and Iraq. This is not in the interests of 
the Afghan and Iraqi people.
  Also, with membership in the United Nations, Taiwan will be able to 
incorporate itself into the international system of human rights 
protection, abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Vienna 
Declaration and Program of Action. It is heartening to know Taiwan's 
commitment to human rights is very serious. It is establishing a 
National Human Rights Commission in accordance with the principles 
outlined by the United Nations.
  Being the world's 17th largest economy, Taiwan will most certainly be 
able to carry out all United Nations Charter obligations. Taiwan's 
efforts to help other countries would be much more effective if they 
could be coordinated with international efforts sponsored by the U.N. 
and its specialized agencies.
  Perhaps one of the best reasons for supporting Taiwan's membership in 
the United Nations is that Taiwan is willing and anxious to be a full 
contributing member of the United Nations. So, let's speak up for our 
friend and ally, the Republic of China on Taiwan. Let's tell the world 
how unfair it has been to deny the 23 million people of Taiwan their 
voice and representation in the United Nations and especially their 
willingness to other nations in need.

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