[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2536]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TAIWAN'S UPCOMING REFERENDUM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2004

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, the referendum offered by Taiwan's 
President, the Honorable Chen Shui-bian, for the March 20, 2004 
election ballot will not alter the status quo of cross-strait 
relations.
  This referendum does not seek a declaration of independence. Rather, 
it is intended to express the Taiwanese people's immediate and 
legitimate concerns regarding the peace and security of the region. 
Taiwan is a thriving democracy that promotes freedom and the rule of 
law. The upcoming referendum will allow its people to freely express 
their views, which is a fundamental human right guaranteed by 
international law.

                          ____________________