Representatives Introduce Resolution Calling For Lifting Of All Restrictions On Taiwan High-Level Visits

On July 23, co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a resolution (HCR481) calling for the complete lifting of all restrictions on high-level visits from Taiwan. The resolution concludes: “That it is the sense of the Congress that the United States should lift all restrictions on visits by high level officials of Taiwan to the United States.”

And “it is in the national interests of the United States to communicate directly with democratically elected and appointed officials of Taiwan, including the democratically elected president of Taiwan.”

On April 21, Rep. Chabot stated in a Congressional hearing: “I had lunch in the Capitol a few weeks ago with Mr. Mark Chen, then a legislator. Today Mr. Chen is Taiwan’s new foreign minister […] and can no longer come to our Capitol on an official visit. Frankly I think that that policy is kind of silly.”

On July 15, ranking member of the House International Relations Committee, Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), echoed that sentiment when he stated: “Mr. Speaker, it was a great pleasure for me to host Taiwan’s Vice President, Annette Lu, during a recent visit to San Francisco. It is my fondest hope that Congress will have the honor of greeting both President Chen and Vice President Lu in Washington in the foreseeable future.”

Despite this, the United States continues to cling to its long-held policy prohibiting high ranking Taiwan leaders -including the president- from visiting Washington DC. Not only does this policy widen the communication gap between Taiwan and the United States, but it denies Taiwan’s democratically elected officials the respect they deserve.

FAPA president Ming-chi Wu states: “We ask that the U.S. lift all restrictions on high-level visits by officials from Taiwan, so that a balanced understanding of both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be directly available to Congress, the Administration and the American public. And on a more personal level: we Taiwanese Americans want to see our democratically elected president Chen Shui-bian be treated and greeted with the respect his office deserves. Other non-elected leaders from around the world visit the White House. It is only fair that the same honor and recognition gets bestowed upon President Chen.”

美國會休會前夕引進決議案，再度要求取消台灣高層訪美限制

在美國國會暑期休會前夕，兩位台灣連線的共同主席夏波議員(Steve Chabot-R, OH)和布朗議員(Sherrod Brown –D-OH)聯手提出第481號決議案─要求美國完全取消台灣高層官員訪問的不合理限制。這是繼上週四眾院以壓倒性票數通過第462號決議案，指出美台雙方高層互訪不違一中政策後，此一議題再度在國會被提案，認為美國應該對鬆綁對台灣高層訪美的限制。

在決議案中指出：台灣身為美國對外貿易第七大國家，在亞洲經濟扮演舉足輕重的角色；台灣順應民主潮流，發展政治政黨制度，有最公平和自由的選舉，舉行過三次由台灣人民直選的總統選舉。但是由兩千兩百萬人民選出的台灣總統陳水扁，卻長期受限無法和美國的官員見面或討論有關共同關切問題或雙方國家利益。

夏波議員曾在4月21日的國會聽證會中表示：「幾個禮拜前，我有機會在國會與陳唐山先生共進午餐，當時他是台灣的立法委員；現在他已經是台灣的外交部長，卻無法再到國會進行官方的正式拜會。坦白說，我認為這個政策實在很糊塗。」

7月15日，民主黨資深議員藍托斯也為此一限制請命，他說：「最近我很榮幸的在舊金山招待過境來訪的台灣副總統呂秀蓮女士，事實上，我最大的期望是不久的未來，美國國會能夠在華盛頓首都歡迎台灣的陳、呂總統兩人。」

除此之外，美國緊抓著長期且不合時宜的政策，限制著台灣高層官員的訪問─尤其是到華盛頓首都，這不僅加深美國和台灣兩國溝通的鴻溝，並且也間接否定了台灣對民主的努力或對民選總統所應得的尊敬。

FAPA會長吳明基指出：我們長期要求美國政府取消對台灣高層官員訪美的限制，就是希望美國政會、國會和一般大眾，對台灣海峽的問題有直接和平衡的瞭解。此外，我們在美國台美人，也希望經由民主競爭過程和人民直接選舉出來的台灣總統，能夠受到他應該要有的尊嚴和禮遇，就如同美國對待其他的國家領袖一般。我們不是要有差別待遇，我們的要求是非常公平和自然的，這也是陳水扁總統理所當然應得到的。

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U.S. House Passes TRA Legislation Further Opening The Door For Future Visit By Taiwan’s President To Washington D.C.

On July 14, the House of Representatives passed H.Con.Res.462 commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. A final vote on the resolution did not take place until the morning of July 15, when the resolution passed overwhelmingly with 400-18 votes.

It concludes: “Congress affirms its unwavering commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) as the cornerstone of United States relations with Taiwan.” And: “The United States Government should not discourage current officials of the Taiwan Government from visiting the United States on the basis that doing so would violate the “one China policy.”

During floor deliberations, Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ) referred to the TRA as “one of Congress’ most important and enduring pieces of legislation. Over the past quarter century, the Act has served as the foundation of the United States’ relationship with the people of Taiwan and has ensured the island’s security.”

House International Relations Committee ranking member Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) stated: “Mr. Speaker, it was a great pleasure for me to host Taiwan’s Vice President, Annette Lu, during a recent visit to San Francisco. It is my fondest hope that Congress will have the honor of greeting both President Chen and Vice President Lu in Washington in the foreseeable

future.”

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: “It is very important that the resolution states that hi-level visits are not in conflict with the US “One China Policy.” This opens the door for a future visit by President Chen to Washington DC.” Taiwanese Americans concur with Rep. Lantos and also look forward to a visit by the democratically elected president of Taiwan to visit Washington DC. Such as visit is long overdue.”

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House International Relations Committee Passes TRA Legislation Opening The Door For Future Chen Shui-Bian D.C. Visit

On June 24, the House International Relations Committee (HIRC) marked up HCR462 commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. The resolution was introduced by HIRC chairman Henry Hyde and the Committee’s ranking member Tom Lantos.

Cosponsors: Reps. James Leach, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Steve Chabot, Robert Wexler, Howard Berman, Gregory Meeks, Thaddeus McCotter, Jo Ann Davis, Chris Smith, Dana Rohrabacher, Shelley Berkley, Thomas Tancredo, Gary Ackerman, Joseph Hoeffel, Adam Schiff, Peter King, Ben Chandler, Charles Gonzalez, Michael McNulty, Mark Souder, John Shimkus, David Wu, Mark Kirk, and Peter Deutsch.

The resolution concludes: “Congress affirms its unwavering commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) as the cornerstone of United States relations with Taiwan.”

The resolution also concludes that: “The United States Government should not discourage current officials of the Taiwan Government from visiting the United States on the basis that doing so would violate the “one China policy.”

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. says: “We are glad that Chairman Hyde has finally introduced this resolution and that the Committee has finally marked it up. We understand that the Committee wanted to wait with moving on the resolution until all election disputes in Taiwan were solved. It is good to see that any doubt in the committee’s mind about the election result has now disappeared.”

Wu continues: “The reference to the TRA being “the cornerstone” of US-Taiwan relations is significant too, since the PRC continues to claim that the three US-PRC communiqués prevail. Obviously, the US Congress agrees that TRA is the law of the land which dictates the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, and not the three communiqués.”

“And finally, it is good to notice that this resolution goes on record stating that hi-level visits are not in conflict with the US “One China Policy.” This opens the door for a future visit by President Chen to Washington DC.”

美眾議院國關委員會通過紀念台灣關係法二十五週年決議案，為陳總統等台灣高層官員訪華府舖路

就在台灣立法院參訪團才剛剛離開華府之際，美國眾議院國際關係委員會於今日無異議通過第462號決議案，紀念台灣關係法於今年四月邁入第二十五週年。決議案主要在重申美國對台灣安全的承諾，並就台灣高層官員訪美一事表示支持。決議案目前共有二十五位議員聯署（聯署名單請見英文新聞稿）。

第462號決議案裡絕大部份著墨於中國日益增加的軍事威脅，並進而重申美國在台灣關係法下對台灣安全的承諾。決議案表示：「國防部2003年7月30日有關中國軍事力量的報告中，明確記錄了中華人民共和國政府目前正在尋找脅迫的武力方式來解決台灣問題，而截至目前為止，中國已經佈署了近450枚短程彈道飛彈，瞄準台灣，這些飛彈每年也以75枚的速度在增加當中。」決議案接著明白表示：「中國在台灣海峽鄰近處增加飛彈及其他攻擊性武器的軍事佈署，已經對西太平洋地區的和平與安全造成威脅。」關於台灣前途一事，決議裡也指出「任何試圖以非和平方式、以及沒有獲得台灣人民同意的前提下來解決台灣前途，都將受到美國嚴重的關切」。

決議案最後並有意提高美國國會在維護台灣安全與加強台美關係所扮演的角色。決議案表示：「總統與國會應該根據（中國）軍事佈署的增加，包括在台灣海峽鄰近處佈署攻擊性武器與飛彈等，來決定是否提供額外的防衛性武器與服務給台灣，而美國政府也應該鼓勵台灣領導人投注足夠的資源在其防衛上。」決議案也要求美國國防部就日前美中經濟與安全檢討會所提出的建議，關於中國自俄國獲得的軍售武器部份，提出一份詳細報告，呈交眾議院的國際關係、軍事委員會以及參議院的外交與軍事委員會，做為參考。不過，此決議案最為有趣之處，則是其案尾表示：「美國政府不應該以『違反一中政策』為由，阻礙台灣政府官員訪問美國。」

FAPA會長吳明基表示：「根據我們的瞭解，國關委員會海德主席特地等到台灣選舉爭端告一段落，才在委員會裡通過這個紀念台灣關係法二十五週年的決議案。今天第462號決議案在委員會裡的通過，證明了委員會以及美國國會對台灣選後爭端的一些疑慮，已經一掃而空。」

吳明基繼續表示：「中國一再號稱美中三個公報高於一切，然而，從今天的決議案裡提及台灣關係法是台美關係基石來看，美國國會相當清楚，台灣關係法，而不是三個公報，才是規範台美關係的唯一準則。」

吳明基最後表示：「不過，今天這個決議案最令人掁奮的部份則是美國國會明白支持台灣高層訪美一事。這是美國首次公開聲明台灣高層訪問美國並不與其『一中政策』相互抵觸。聯合引進這個決議案的藍托斯(Tom Lantos, D-CA)議員近日來在不同場合，一再強調他希望在華府迎接陳水扁總統。我們相信，今天這個決議案將為陳水扁總統在其任內訪問華府一事舖路。」

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Colorado Congressman Introduces Resolution Pushing Official U.S. Recognition of Taiwan 

Measure would pave way for the resumption of formal ties between Taipei, Washington

Congressman Tom Tancredo (CO-06) today introduced House Concurrent Resolution 440, expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume normal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan.  The resolution also expresses the sense of Congress that Taiwan should be permitted to participate as an equal partner in international organizations like the United Nations.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter shifted diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Communist China and abrogated the Mutual Defense Treaty between the ROC and the U.S. in 1979.  He did so without consulting, or seeking the approval of the U.S. Congress.

“The people of Taiwan have time and time again demonstrated their commitment to democracy, liberty and human rights,” said Tancredo, “We ought to extend the same formal diplomatic recognition to the elected government in Taipei that we accord to the unelected government in Beijing.”

Photo Credit: US Congress (Wikimedia Commons)

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Senate Unanimously Passes “WHO For Taiwan” Bill

On May 6, 2004, the Senate unanimously passed S. 2092 authorizing the Secretary of State “to introduce a resolution in support of observer status for Taiwan at the summit of the World Health Assembly.”

At passage the bill enjoyed the co-sponsorship of the following Senators: Sen. George Allen (VA), Sen. Christopher S. Bond (MO), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (GA), Sen. Susan Collins (ME), Sen. Mike Crapo (ID), Sen. Dick Durbin (IL), Sen. Russ Feingold (WI), Sen. Jim Inhofe (OK), Sen. Tim Johnson (SD), Sen Jon Kyl (AZ), Sen. Joe Lieberman (CT), Sen. Trent Lott (MS), Sen. Jeff Sessions (AL), Sen. George Voinovich (OH).

Additionally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of State “to initiate a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual week-long summit of the World Health Assembly each year in Geneva, Switzerland.”

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu states: “Given the fact that the language of S.2092 is stronger than the bill that was originally introduced in the House in February, illustrates that the Congress is getting impatient with the lackluster actions the State Department’s has taken in support of Taiwan’s WHO bid. The ball is in the State Department’s court now. Hopefully the State Department will not disappoint Congress this year again.”

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Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes “WHO For Taiwan” Bill

On April 29, 2004, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed legislation (S2092), concluding: The Secretary of State is authorized to—

(1) initiate a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual week-long summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2004 in Geneva, Switzerland;

(2) instruct the United States delegation to the World Health Assembly in Geneva to implement that plan; and

(3) introduce a resolution in support of observer status for Taiwan at the summit of the World Health Assembly.

(c) REPORT- Not later than 14 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to Congress in unclassified form describing the action taken to carry out the plan described in subsection (b).

The bill was introduced on February 12 by the following 11 Senators: George Allen (R-VA), James Inhofe (R-OK), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Trent Lott (R-MS), Richard Durbin (D-IL), George Voinovich (R-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Kit Bond (R-MO).

The bill will now move to the full Senate for consideration.

Senator George Allen (R-VA), who is leading the “WHO For Taiwan” effort in the Senate, stated upon passage of the bill: “It would be tantamount to medical malpractice to exclude Taiwan from participation in the assessment, treatment and cure of the world’s dangerous diseases.” (See: below for transcript Press Release.)

According to FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D.: “Right before he left China earlier this month, WHO Director General Lee made the comment that he does not welcome Taiwan’s participation in the WHO. Soon thereafter, SARS reared its head in China. With Taiwan’s geographic proximity to China, Taiwan can not be excluded from the WHO any longer. It is high time that the WHO let Taiwan in next month.”

擔憂SARS重返台灣之際，美參院外委會通過法案，支持台灣參與世衛

正當中國出現多起SARS可疑疫情的病例，導致全台再度陷入SARS警戒之際，美參議院外交委員會於今日通過第2092法案，支持台灣以觀察員的身分參與下個月中旬，即將於日內瓦召開的的世界衛生組織大會。

第2092法案是由維吉尼亞州，也是參議院台灣連線共同主席之一的艾倫（George Allen, R- VA）參議員所引進，並獲得11位參議員的連署。這11位參議員當中並包括另一位參議院台灣連線共同主席強森(Tim Johnson, D-SD)，以及已經退出角逐爭取民主黨提名的總統候選人李柏曼(Joe Lieberman, D-CT)參議員。其他參與連署的議員們分別為：James Inhofe (R-OK), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), 　Trent Lott (R-MS), Richard Durbin (D-IL), George Voinovich (R-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Kit Bond (R-MO)。

艾倫參議員今天在新聞稿裡也表示：「將台灣排除在世界醫療體系外，阻絕他們參與如SARS等各種危險疾病的評估、治療與防治工作，這樣的作法如同是草菅人命。」

FAPA會長吳明基表示：「自1999年參議院每年引進WHO議案以來，今年是有史以來原始提案人(original cosponsors)人數最多的一年。數位非參議院台灣連線成員的參議員也一併加入今年的連署行列，證明了參議院對於台灣參與世衛的廣泛支持。」吳明基接著表示：「在世衛執行長李鍾郁才前腳離開中國，並在臨行前發表不歡迎台灣加入世界衛生組織的談話，中國接者就爆發出SARS疫情的報告。疾病無國界，台灣無法幸免於SARS再度登台的可能性之外。台灣沒有繼續再被拒絕在世衛大門之外的道理。世衛應該在下個月即將召開的大會上，正視台灣申請參與世衛的議題，儘速讓台灣加入世衛，成為全球醫療體系的成員之一。」

今天在參院外委會通過的法案與日前眾議院通過的第4019號法案，兩院版本雷同。預計參議院全院將在近期通過第2092號法案。

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House Unanimously Passes “WHO For Taiwan” Bill

Today, the House unanimously passed WHO for Taiwan legislation (HR4019) on the suspension calendar with 416 to 0 votes “authorizing the U.S. Secretary of State (1) to initiate a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual week-long summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2004 in Geneva, Switzerland; (2) to instruct the United States delegation to Geneva to implement that plan; and (3) to introduce a resolution in support of observer status for Taiwan at the summit of the World Health Assembly.

The bill will now go to the Senate and after Senate passage, it will be forwarded to the President for a signature and thus become an Act.

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: “Now that WHO Director General Lee when in Beijing has said that it will be difficult for Taiwan to participate in the WHO this year, assertive U.S. action is crucial.”

眾議院無異議通過支持台灣參與世衛法案　

眾議院在今日以416票對0票，高票通過第4019號法案，支持台灣世衛觀察員的身份。第4019號法案主要在授權國務院在今年五月的世衛大會上應有一套執行計劃，具體協助台灣以觀察員的身份參與世界衛生組織大會；而美國參與世衛大會的代表並應在世衛大會召開時實施這樣的計劃。法案最後並要求國務院在此法案通過後的十四天之內，就美國如何協助台灣一事向國會呈交書面報告。

值得特別注意的是今年法案裡有一頗具創意的作法：台灣連線建議國務院在今年五月的世衛大會上，由美國代表團（而非以往台灣友邦）引進支持台灣世衛觀察員身份的決議案。除了前述創意性的提議外，今年的法案並加入了禽流感(Bird Flu)與嚴重急性呼吸道症候群(SARS)等文字，以突顯出在疾病無國界的情況下，台灣被世衛排除在外的不合理與不通人情。

台灣人公共事務會長(FAPA)吳明基教授表示，「參議院可望在近期內通過類似的法案，並交付總統簽署。根據報導，世界衛生組織執行長李鐘毓在近日訪問中國時，曾經表示他不支持台灣申請參與世衛組織。李鐘毓的言論更加突顯出美國在下個月即將於日內瓦召開的世衛大會上，以實際行動帶領其他國家，具體協助台灣參與世衛的重要性！」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Resolution Urges The PRC To Withdraw Its Missiles From Fukien Province

Late last night, seven Representatives led by Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) and Congressman Joel Hefley (R-CO) -vice-chair of the House Armed Services Committee- introduced a resolution (H.Con.Res.232) calling upon the PRC to withdraw its missiles that are currently positioned in its coastal province of Fukien and which are targeted at Taiwanese shore, and to renounce the use of force against Taiwan. The introduction of the resolution comes on the fifty-fourth anniversary of a momentous occasion in U.S.-Taiwan relations. On June 27th, 1949, President Harry S. Truman dispatched the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet to protect Taiwan from a possible invasion by Communist China.

The resolution concludes that

1) Congress has grave concerns about the PRC’s deployment of hundreds of ballistic missiles directed towards Taiwan, which threaten security and stability in the Taiwan Strait;

2) The President should direct all appropriate United States officials to raise these concerns with Chinese officials and should seek from the leaders of the PRC a public and immediate unequivocal renunciation of any threat or use of force against Taiwan.”

It continues:

4) If China does not dismantle the missiles that threaten Taiwan, the President should release the Aegis system to Taiwan enabling Taiwan to defend itself against the threat of a missile attack by China;

5) The United States maintains that the future of Taiwan shall be determined peacefully and with the express consent of the people of Taiwan.”

FAPA President, Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D., states: “The introduction of this resolution is another step towards addressing an issue of grave concern to all Taiwanese. It is utterly unacceptable that the people of Taiwan live their daily lives with a gun pointed to their heads.  They have a right to live in peace, without this constant military threat.”

Wu continues: “The resolution concludes that the future of Taiwan must be determined peacefully, with the express consent of the people of Taiwan. A democratic mechanism such as a plebiscite would be best. The U.S. is the main crusader for freedom and democracy around the world and can therefore ill afford to tell the people of Taiwan not to hold a referendum. There can be no double standard when it comes to exercising democracy.”

眾議院引進決議案，呼籲中國撤除福建省沿海飛彈

紐澤西州民主黨議員安德魯斯(Robert Andrews, D-NJ)，眾議院軍事委員會副主席Joel Hefley　(R-CO)與Dan Burton (R-IN), , Mike Pence (R-IN), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Mark Souder (R-IN), David Wu (D-OR)等七位議員，於昨晚聯合引進一決議案 (HCR 232)，要求中國政府撤除其部署在福建省沿海，以台灣為主要攻擊目標的數百枚中短程彈道飛彈；決議案並要求中國公開放棄武力犯台的政策。眾議院特地選在昨日，適逢台美關係中一重大歷史事件54週年紀念日提出。54年前，也就是1949年的6月27日，當時的美國總統杜魯門(Harry S. Truman)為防止中國赤軍的侵略，特地派遣美軍第七艦隊協防台灣，以遏止台灣淪入中國共產黨手中的可能性。

決議案首先列舉出一連串台灣安全受到中國軍事威脅的實例，例如數百枚佈署於其沿海的中短程飛彈，自俄國不斷購買如蘇愷27與30戰鬥機或是潛水艇等攻擊性武器，以及1995年、1996年飛彈試射危機。決議案接著引用國務卿鮑爾、西太平洋艦隊指揮長布萊爾等人於國會聽證會上的證詞，以突顯中國軍事威脅的急迫性與美國對保障台灣安全的重視。決議案最後則達成以下決議：美國國會對於中國沿海數百枚瞄準台灣，並且影響台海安全與穩定的彈道飛彈表示嚴重關切；美國總統應指示所有美官員向中國官員表達此項關切，並尋求中國領導人公開、盡速且清楚放棄對台用武的聲明；如果中國不拆除在其沿海的飛彈，美國總統應出售神盾級驅逐艦，以協助台灣自衛，抵禦來自中國的飛彈威脅；美國繼續支持台灣前途在和平的方式下解決，並終須得到台灣人民的同意。

台灣公共事務會(FAPA)吳明基表示：「覆巢之下無完卵，這項決議案點出了攸關台灣人民利益的最重要議題──國家安全。四百枚瞄準台灣的彈道飛彈猶如一把槍頂在台灣人民穴頭上。台灣人民有權利過著和平的生活，而不是這種時時刻刻受到軍事威脅、活在恐懼之下的生活。中國數百枚不斷增加當中的中、短程飛彈不僅威脅到台灣二千三百萬人民的安全，更是造成台灣海峽不穩定的始作俑者，進而影響到美國及亞洲鄰近國家的安全利益，這也是為什麼安德魯斯議員等人如此關切這個議題，並在今日引進這個決議案。」

吳明基接著表示：「台灣人民不僅應該在不受恐懼的前提之下，自由地決定台灣前途之外，誠如議員們在決議中所支持的，台灣前途更應該在和平且尊重台灣人民的意願的情況下作決定。類似公民投票這樣的民主機制將會是個合適的方式。美國是世界上捍衛自由與民主的十字軍，怎麼能夠告訴台灣人民不要舉行全民公投呢？民主的實踐不應該有雙重標準的！」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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House Passes Bill Re. “WHO For Taiwan”

The House today passed legislation (H.R.441) on the suspension calendar mandating that the U.S. Secretary of State A(1) to initiate a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual week-long summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland; and (2) to instruct the United States delegation to Geneva to implement that plan.

The bill, introduced on January 29, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), with 29 co-sponsors presses the Bush Administration to put some teeth into the effort to obtain meaningful participation by Taiwan in international organizations.

Rep. David Wu stated: As a self-governing and democratic island of twenty-three million people, and as a potential member with a great deal to contribute to the WHO, I strongly support WHO observer status for Taiwan.

After the debate, the bill passed by voice vote. The is now automatically referred to the Senate. It needs to pass the Senate before it can be sent to the President for a signature so it can become law.

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: Overall, the U.S. should support the right to international recognition of democratic Taiwan.  This WHO bill is a step in the right direction. Despite the looming war on Iraq, we hope Mr. Bush presses the State Department to explore every opportunity to make this happen.

Together with the letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell dated February 26, we have high expectations that the letter sent by the Taiwan Caucus to Secretary of State Colin Powell on February 26, urging the Secretary to instruct the U.S. delegation to Geneva to speak out in favor of Taiwan’s participation this coming May, will produce concrete results.@

And finally, passing the bill is a nice gift to Taiwan’s health Minister Shiing-jer Twu who is currently in Washington, D.C. rallying support for Taiwan’s WHO bid this coming May in Geneva.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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