[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3557]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            THE NATIONAL UNIFICATION COUNCIL CEASES TO EXIST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2006

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, on February 27, Taiwan President Chen 
Shui-bian declared that Taiwan's Unification Council will cease to 
function and the National Unification Guidelines will cease to apply. 
He came to his decision after weighing the importance of preserving 
Taiwan's freedom, democracy, human rights, the status quo and Taiwanese 
people's right to choose their own future.
  White House spokesman Scott McClellan stated, ``We welcome President 
Chen's reaffirmation of his administration's commitment to cross-strait 
peace and stability, and Taiwan's commitment to the pledges that 
President Chen made in his inaugural address . . . to not unilaterally 
alter the status quo on the Taiwan Strait.''
  Since peace in the Taiwan Strait is critical to our national security 
and any military confrontation must be avoided, I therefore urge China 
to end its strident rhetoric against Taiwan, rescind the Anti-Secession 
Law enacted last spring and remove the hundreds of threatening missiles 
targeting Taiwan.
  On the first anniversary of the passage of China's Anti-Secession Law 
and the 10th anniversary of the Taiwan Strait Missile Crisis, it is 
high time for a meaningful dialogue to resume between Chinese leaders 
and the elected leadership in Taiwan, leading to a peaceful resolution 
of their differences. I support these efforts to reduce the tension on 
both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and urge my fellow Congressional 
colleagues to continue their support for repealing the Anti-Secession 
Law.

                          ____________________