[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12695]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 106--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS 
  REGARDING HIGH LEVEL VISITS TO THE UNITED STATES BY DEMOCRATICALLY 
                      ELECTED OFFICIALS OF TAIWAN

  Mr. JOHNSON (for himself and Mr. Allen) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 106

       Whereas, for over half a century, a close relationship has 
     existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has been 
     of enormous political, economic, cultural, and strategic 
     advantage to both countries;
       Whereas Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of 
     the United States in the Asia-Pacific region;
       Whereas it is United States policy to support and 
     strengthen democracy around the world;
       Whereas during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan made 
     a remarkable transition to a full-fledged democracy with a 
     vibrant economy and a vigorous multi-party political system 
     that respects human rights and the rule of law;
       Whereas President George W. Bush, in a November 2005 speech 
     in Kyoto, Japan, lauded the Government of Taiwan for its 
     democratic achievements;
       Whereas, in spite of its praise for democracy in Taiwan, 
     the United States Government continues to adhere to 
     guidelines from the 1970s that bar the President, Vice 
     President, Premier, Foreign Minister, and Defense Minister of 
     Taiwan from coming to Washington, D.C.;
       Whereas the United States Government has barred these high-
     level officials from visiting Washington, D.C., while 
     allowing the unelected leaders of the People's Republic of 
     China to routinely visit Washington, D.C., and welcoming them 
     to the White House;
       Whereas these self-imposed restrictions lead to a lack of 
     direct contact and communication with the democratically 
     elected leaders of Taiwan and deprive the President, 
     Congress, and the American public of the opportunity to 
     engage in a direct dialogue regarding developments in the 
     Asia-Pacific region and key elements of the relationship 
     between the United States and Taiwan;
       Whereas, in consideration of the major economic, security, 
     and political interests shared by the United States and 
     Taiwan, it is to the benefit of the United States for United 
     States officials to meet with and communicate directly with 
     the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan;
       Whereas, since the Taiwan Strait is one of the flashpoints 
     in the world, it is important that United States policymakers 
     directly communicate with the leaders of Taiwan; and
       Whereas, Section 221 of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Technical Corrections Act of 1994 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note) 
     provides that the President or other high-level officials of 
     Taiwan may visit the United States, including Washington 
     D.C., at any time to discuss a variety of important issues: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the Sense of Congress that--
       (1) restrictions on visits to the United States by high-
     level elected and appointed officials of Taiwan, including 
     the democratically-elected President of Taiwan, should be 
     lifted;
       (2) the United States should allow direct high-level 
     exchanges at the Cabinet level, in order to strengthen a 
     policy dialogue with the Government of Taiwan; and
       (3) it is in the interest of the United States to 
     strengthen links between the United States and the 
     democratically-elected Government of Taiwan and demonstrate 
     stronger support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.

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