For Immediate Release
Washington DC – October 1, 2012
Contact: (202) 547-3686
U.S. Representative Urges USIP To Set Up Center For Taiwan Security Analysis
In a letter dated September 28, 2012 to John Marshall, incoming president of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), a non-partisan center for the study of conflict prevention created by the U.S. Congress in 1984. Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) asked Marshall to establish new Center for Taiwan Security Analysis within the USIP.
Rep. Andrews wrote to Marshall that: “Even though Taiwan is a sovereign independent country today, its citizens live in the shadow of over 1,600 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles aimed by the PRC. The PRC still refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, continues to claim Taiwan as a renegade province, and in 2005 passed an ‘Anti-Secession Law’ mandating military action if Taiwan moves toward formal de jure independence.”
The letter continued: “In light of the growing military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait and the continuing threat posed by the PRC, it is imperative that the United States seeks ways to reduce the probability of armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait, which remains a major global flashpoint.”
Andrews concluded: “As you assume your new position at the helm of the USIP, I encourage you to establishment of a “Center for Taiwan Security Analysis” within the Institute with the goal of conducting in-depth analysis on the U.S.-China-Taiwan relationship from a conflict-prevention lens.”
FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D. states: “The USIP is world-renowned for its work to prevent or end violent conflict around the world, and there are few places where its insights and analyses are needed more than in the Taiwan Strait.”
Dr. Kao adds: “As recent events in East Asia have underscored the fragility of peace and stability in the waters surrounding Taiwan, it becomes clear that the protection of U.S. interests requires a better understanding of the complex sources of potential conflict in the Asian Pacific region.”
美眾議員呼籲「美國和平研究所」設置「台灣安全分析中心」
紐澤西州民主黨眾議員安德魯斯（Robert Andrews） 於九月二十八日致函即將上任的 「美國和平研究所」 （USIP）所長馬歇爾（John Marshall）， 籲其於所內設置一 「台灣安全分析中心」。 USIP為一超黨派機構， 於一九八四年由美國國會所成立， 專責衝突預防研究。
安德魯斯議員於信中說道：「即便今日台灣已是個主權獨立的國家，其人民仍生活於中國一千六百多枚短中程飛彈的陰影之下。中國仍未放棄武力犯台，並持續宣稱台灣為其一省，甚至在2005年通過『反分裂國家法』，要求台灣若宣示法理獨立，中國政府需對台採取軍事行動。」
信中並提道：「台海問題至今仍是全球最大的衝突焦點之一。有鑑於台海軍力的不對等，以及中國持續不斷的威脅，美國應更加致力於尋求降低台海兩岸爆發軍事衝突的可能性。」
安德魯斯總結道：「在您接掌USIP的同時，我鼓勵您於所內設置『台灣安全分析中心』，以進行美中台三方衝突預防的深入研究。」
台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「USIP在衝突預防與爭端解決的工作上是舉世聞名的，世上有些地方比台灣海峽更需要其見解與分析。」
高博士並說道：「近來東亞發生的事件逐漸動搖台灣周邊海域的和平穩定，由此可見，為了鞏固美國的利益，需要更進一步了解亞太地區潛在衝突的複雜來源為何。」
Rep. Andrews’ Letter
The Hon. Jim Marshall, President September 28, 2012
United States Institute of Peace
2301 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037Dear President Marshall:
First, I want to congratulate you for your recent appointment as president of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). I look forward to working with you again in that new capacity.
As you know, the people of Taiwan have established a vibrant and pluralistic democracy in their country. They have conducted five successful presidential elections, successive elections for members of their national legislature, numerous local elections, and two national referendums.
As Americans. We have reason to take pride in the democratic achievements of the Taiwanese people. Only sixty-three years ago, President Truman deployed the US Navy’s 7th Fleet to the Taiwan Strait to protect Taiwan against the possibility of an invasion by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Our enduring commitment to the preservation of Taiwan’s safety and security is now enshrined in the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which has served as the cornerstone of United-States Taiwan relations for more than 30 years and been instrumental in the maintenance of peace and stability in the Western Pacific region throughout that time.
Even though Taiwan is a sovereign independent country today, its citizens live under the shadow of over 1,600 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles aimed by the PRC. The PRC still refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, continues to claim Taiwan as a renegade province, and in 2005 passed an “Anti-Secession Law” mandating military action if Taiwan moves toward formal de jure independence.
In its 2011 report on Chinese military and security developments, the Department of Defense emphasized that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) remains focused on strengthening its capacity to take over Taiwan by force, while Taiwan has been unable to keep pace with the steady modernization of the PLA and the “ambitious military developments” of the PRC.
America cannot afford to lose a democracy in the region, and the people of Taiwan cannot afford to lose their safety, security, freedom and independence. In light of the growing military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait, it is imperative that the United States seeks ways to reduce the probability of armed conflict in the region, which remains a major global flashpoint.
I have long admired the work of the USIP. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I greatly value the role that the institute plays in enhancing our national security and informing the national foreign policy making process.
As you assume your new position at the helm of the USIP, I encourage you to establish a “Center for Taiwan Security Analysis” within the Institute with the goal of conducting in-depth analysis on the U.S.-China-Taiwan relationship through a conflict-prevention lens. Given PRC’s unyielding military aggression toward Taiwan, this work would represent a critical addition to the Institute’s current programming, in line with its mission to prevent and mitigate international conflict.
I thank you for your attention to this important matter and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,
ROBERT ANDREWS
Member of Congress
