U.S. Representatives Introduce “UN for Taiwan” Legislation

On, September 17, 2013, the very day that the United Nations opened its annual General Assembly session in New York, Representatives Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Joe Barton (R-TX) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced a resolution (H.Con.Res.55) concluding “That it is the sense of Congress that Taiwan and its 23,000,000 people deserve membership in the United Nations.”

The resolution quotes from the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act stating: “Nothing in this Act may be construed as a basis for supporting the exclusion or expulsion of Taiwan from continued membership in any international financial institution or any other international organization.”

It also lauds the “close relationship that has existed for the past 50 years between the United States and Taiwan, which has been of major economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to both countries” and emphasizes Taiwan’s long time desire to join the United Nations.

FAPA President Mark. Kao, Ph.D. states: “”his legislation sends a clear signal to the United Nations and its member states that the UN should open its doors for Taiwan right here and right now. Simultaneously, they send a signal to the U.S. Government that U.S. support for Taiwan’s full and equal membership in international organizations such as the UN should be based on how Taiwan can contribute to and benefit from international organizations – not on Chinese attempts to annex Taiwan.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “The Chinese leadership should stop obstructing Taiwan from playing its natural and necessary role in meeting global challenges by joining international organizations. When an international outcry in support of UN membership for Taiwan is strong enough, Beijing will back down. Such pressure needs to and will continue.”

美眾議員提台灣加入聯合國議案

於二零一三年九月十七日，在紐約的聯合國年度大會所召開的日子，紐澤西州共和黨眾議員蓋瑞(Scott Garret)、德州共和黨眾議員巴頓(Joe Barton)及強森(Eddie Bernice Johnson)提出了第55號決議案指出「國會認為台灣以及其兩千三百萬人民應成為聯合國的會員。」

該決議案更進一步強調「美國與台灣過去五十年來的緊密關係，對兩國在經濟、文化及戰略方面，均有相當助益。」並強調台灣長久以來期望加入聯合國的意願。

本決議案引述一九七九年台灣關係法之條文，「本法律任何條款均不得被解釋為，美國贊成把臺灣排除或驅逐出任何國際金融機構或其他國際組織。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士指出：「本決議案對聯合國及其會員國釋出了一項訊息，即聯合國應立即敞開讓台灣加入的大門，並也同時向美政府表示，台灣對國際組織的參與，應立基於其對此些組織的貢獻與獲益，而非以中國對台灣的杯葛作為主要考量。」

高博士表示：「中國的領導階層應停止阻礙台灣加入國際性組織，使台灣扮演其對國際社會的必要且自然角色。一但國際上支持台灣加入聯合國的聲音夠大，北京方面便得退一步，也因此我們必須對北京不斷的施壓。」

Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz (Flickr)

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FAPA Applauds Unanimous Passage Of Taiwan Policy Act In House Foreign Affairs Committee

On August 1, 2013 the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed HR419 aka the Taiwan Policy Act (TPA).

The TPA was introduced on January 25, 2013 by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), John Carter (R-TX) and Albio Sires (D-NJ) “to strengthen and clarify the commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan.”

The TPA was then passed unanimously on April 25 2013 by the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

It is a comprehensive bill that addresses over a dozen different aspects of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, and updates the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to reflect the new realities in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. The TPA builds on the TRA (which has functioned effectively as the cornerstone of US-Taiwan relations over the past three decades). It does not amend or supersede the TRA.

The TPA had been introduced during the previous 112th Congress, and was subsequently passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, but had not made it to the floor by the time Congress adjourned for the year in the fall of 2012.

At the hearing, Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) lauded the close U.S.-Taiwan relationship and emphasized the Free Trade Agreement provision in the bill.

Introducer of the bill, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) said: “Taiwan is an important friend and ally of the United States, and should be treated as such.”

Taiwan Caucus co-chair Gerry Connolly (D-VA) emphasized that “The U.S. needs to be clear in the actions it takes in Taiwan’s defense, and make it known that the future of Taiwan needs to be resolved peacefully.”

Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) who was a missionary in the Taiwan in the mid-seventies said that, after Israel, he considered Taiwan the strongest ally of the US and that “Taiwan is such a strong democracy that the U.S. should preserve such a strong ally.”

Asian Subcommittee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) repeated his plea that the “Chen Shui-bian issue will be resolved soon.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D. says: “With the ever-expanding territorial ambitions of China, the U.S.-Taiwan alliance becomes more and more important. The TPA addresses that concern. Overall, the TPA is one of the most significant Taiwan bills over the past decades and, if enacted into law, will greatly bolster Taiwan’s ability to preserve its freedom and independence.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “The next hurdle for the bill is passage on the floor of the House to be followed by introduction in the Senate where the bill has to follow a similar path. We at FAPA will mobilize all our members all over the United States to help ensure that this critically important bill becomes law at the earliest opportunity.”

台灣人公共事務會讚許美國眾議院外交事務委員會無異議通過「台灣政策法」

美國眾議院外交事務委員會於8月1日無異議通過編號H.R.419的「台灣政策法」（Taiwan Policy Act, TPA）。

台灣政策法於1月25日由佛州共和黨眾議員羅斯雷提能（Ileana Ros-Lehtinen）及眾院台灣連線四位共同主席：佛州共和黨議員迪亞茲巴拉特（Mario Diaz-Balart）、維州民主黨議員康納利（Gerald Connolly）、德州共和黨議員卡特（John Carter），以及紐澤西州民主黨議員席瑞斯（Albio Sires），共同提出。

台灣政策法於4月25日經眾議院亞太事務小組委員會無異議通過。

該法案包括台美關係中十幾項不同的議題，並更新1979年的「台灣關係法」（Taiwan Relations Act, TRA），使其更能反映台美關係的真實現況。台灣政策法是建基於過去三十年來台美關係的重要基石「台灣關係法」上，但並未修改，也不會凌駕於其上。

「台灣政策法」曾在第112屆美國國會中被提出，並通過外交事務委員會審查，但截至該屆國會於2012年秋天散會之前，該項法案並未送交眾院表決。

聽證會中，外交事務委員會主席、加州共和黨眾議員羅伊斯（Ed Royce）讚揚台灣與美國深厚的關係，並強調了TPA中關於自由貿易協定的部分。

TPA提案人、佛州共和黨眾議員羅斯雷提能（Illeana Ros-Lehtinen）表示：「台灣是美國重要的盟友，也應該被如是對待。」

眾院台灣連線共同主席、維州民主黨眾議員康納利（Gerry Connolly）強調：「美國必須對台灣的防禦有明確的作為，並清楚表達台灣的未來必須要和平解決。」

70年代中期，曾以傳教士身分赴台的亞歷桑納州共和黨眾議員邵建隆（Matt Salmon）表示他認為台灣是美國僅次於以色列的盟友。邵建隆並說：「台灣是一個民主國家，而美國必須要持續維護這樣一個盟友。」

亞太事務小組委員會主席，俄亥俄州共和黨眾議員夏波（Steven Chabot）則再次重申他的請求：「讓陳水扁總統的議題早日獲得解決。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「當中國區域擴張的野心日益加遽時，台美的盟友關係就更為重要，而台灣政策法非常強調台美關係。整體而言，台灣政策法是過去十年中最重要的台灣法案。若此法案通過，將更加保障台灣在國際社會的自由空間。」

高博士總結道：「下一個挑戰是要讓台灣政策法通過眾議院院會表決，然後送到參議院提案，並通過相似的流程。台灣人公共事務會將動員全美會員，務必確保此一重要法案盡早完成立法。」

Photo Credit: CSUF Photos (Flickr)

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U.S. Representative Andrews Introduces Legislation Calling For Medical Parole For Former President Chen Shui-bian

On July 30, 2013, Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) introduced legislation concluding that “Congress urges the Government of Taiwan to grant former President Chen Shui-bian medical parole to ensure that he receives the highest level of medical attention, effective immediately.”

The bill, H.Con.Res.46, states: “Whereas since the administration of the Kuomintang Nationalists came to office in 2008, a large number of investigations and prosecutions have been brought against officials from the previous administration, led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), including former President Chen Shui-bian;”

It continues: “Whereas most of these prosecutions were politically motivated, in an apparent pattern of political score-settling.”

The bill concludes: “Whereas former President Chen has not been able to receive adequate medical treatment in accordance with his wishes, such as selecting either doctors or hospitals, and has not been able to have complete access to his medical records.”

The bill also invokes a clause from the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which is the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations: “The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people of Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D. states: “For Taiwanese Americans and for members of the U.S. Congress, Chen’s suicide attempt last month was more than a desperate act by a severely depressed victim of humanitarian injustice, it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. As the chairman of the House Asian Subcommittee Steve Chabot has said on multiple occasions: ‘Enough is Enough!'”

Dr. Kao adds: “Not only does Chen need to be allowed to immediately pick a psychiatrist or neurologist of his own choice, but the process of granting medical parole to Chen also needs to start right away as well. Taiwan’s judicial system allows for such medical parole.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “Chen’s continued physical and psychological deterioration is an ongoing human rights nightmare for Chen and for Taiwan as a country. The Taiwan authorities need to understand that Chen’s imprisonment is severely damaging the international image of Taiwan as a free and democratic nation.”

In a related development, the New York Times published a quarter page article on Monday, July 22, titled: “Taiwan Debates Medical Parole for Ex-Leader.” The article also refers to the June 2, suicide attempt when Chen attempted to hang himself with a towel in a shower in prison.

美眾議員提交決議案籲陳水扁保外就醫

2013年7月22日，紐澤西州民主黨眾議員安德魯斯（Robert Andrews）提交決議案希望「美國眾議院呼籲台灣政府立即讓前總統陳水扁保外就醫，並確保他享有最好的醫療照護。」

該決議案指出：「自從國民黨在2008年重掌政權之後，多名民進黨執政時期的內閣官員就遭到調查和起訴，包括陳前總統。」

法案繼續說到大部分的起訴案件都具有政治動機，而且是明顯的政治清算鬥爭。

這項決議案最後提到陳前總統無法依個人意願接受合宜的治療，包括選擇醫院或醫生，也無法取得他自己的完整病歷資料。

此決議案同時呼應了向來被認作是台美關係基礎的《台灣關係法》，1979年所簽署的《台灣關係法》其中一項 : 「 玆此重申維護及促進所有台灣人民的人權是美國的目標。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示，「對台裔美國人以及許多美國國會議員來說，上個月陳前總統自殺未遂的事實除了是一位因司法人權不公導致嚴重憂鬱症的受害者所做出的絕望舉動，更是國會終於決定發起行動的導因。就像眾院亞太事務小組委員會主席夏波（Steve Chabot）在多次場合中所說的一樣: 『（對陳前總統的懲罰）已經夠了!』

高博士另外指出：「台灣政府必須馬上准許陳前總統自由選擇主治醫師，且需立即展開保外就醫的流程。台灣的司法體系是准許受刑人爭取保外就醫的。陳前總統生理和精神狀況不斷惡化，這對他個人以及對台灣整個國家來說都是一場噩夢。台灣政府應當認知到，陳前總統身陷囹吾對台灣作為民主自由國家的國際形象造成了多大的傷害。」

另外，紐約時報在7月22日星期一刊登了一篇長達四分之一版面的文章，文章標題： 台灣輿論-陳水扁保外就醫。這篇文章同時也提到了在今年6月2日陳前總統在監獄浴室中試圖用毛巾上吊自殺。

Photo Credit: 王錦河 River Wang (Flickr)

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FAPA Applauds Unanimous Passage Of Taiwan Policy Act (TPA) In House Subcommittee

Today the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed HR419, aka the Taiwan Policy Act (TPA).

The TPA was introduced on January 25, 2013 by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), John Carter (R-TX) and Albio Sires (D-NJ) “to strengthen and clarify the commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan.”

It is a comprehensive bill that addresses over a dozen different aspects of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, and updates the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to reflect the new realities in this U.S.-Taiwan relationship.  The TPA builds on the TRA (which has functioned effectively as the cornerstone of US-Taiwan relations over the past three decades). It does not amend or supersede the TRA.

The TPA had been introduced during the previous 112th Congress, was passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee but did not make it to the floor by the time Congress adjourned for the year in the fall of 2012.

During the April 25 markup hearing, the following 8 Representatives attended the hearing: Steve Chabot (R-OH), Eni Faleomavaega (D-SA), Ileana Ros Lehtinen (R-FL), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Doug Collins (R-GA), Scott Perry (R-PA), Ami Bera (D-CA).

Chairman Chabot stated: “This bill strengthens the relations of our two nations.  And I want to emphasize “Two Nations” for Taiwan is a democracy, an old friend and ally, and it deserves to be treated as such by the U.S. government.” Rep. Faleomavaega said: “Reason why we pass this Act, is that we want to achieve that the leaders of Taiwan can continue to practice their democracy.”

Rep. Rohrabacher emphasized that Taiwan is a free and independent country. Rep.  Perry: “I believe we should break through the barrier of conventional wisdom in our relations with Taiwan and work towards the normalization of relations.” Rep. Ros-Lehtinen concluded: “Taiwan continues to be such an essential alley to the United States. This bill reiterates our support, and tells the Taiwanese people just how deeply we value that friendship.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D. says: “This bill is one of the most significant pieces of legislation to address U.S.-Taiwan relations over the past decade and, if passed, will greatly bolster Taiwan’s ability to preserve its freedom of action in the international community.”

Dr. Kao concluded: “Next, the bill has to pass the House Foreign Affairs Committee, then the floor of the House to be followed by introduction in the Senate where the bill has to follow a similar path. We at FAPA will mobilize all our members all over the United States on the grassroots level to help ensure that this critically important bill becomes law at the earliest opportunity.”

台灣人公共事務會讚許美國眾議院亞太事務小組委員會無異議通過《台灣政策法》

美國眾議院亞太事務小組委員會於4月25日無異議通過編號H.R.419的《台灣政策法》（Taiwan Policy Act, TPA）。

台灣政策法於1月25日由佛州共和黨眾議員羅斯雷提能（Ileana Ros-Lehtinen）及眾院台灣連線四位共同主席：佛州共和黨議員迪亞茲巴拉特（Mario Diaz-Balart）、維州民主黨議員康納利（Gerald Connolly）、德州共和黨議員卡特（John Carter），以及紐澤西州民主黨議員席瑞斯（Albio Sires），共同提出。

該法案包括台美關係中十幾項不同的議題，並更新1979年的《台灣關係法》（Taiwan Relations Act, TRA），使其更能反映台美關係的真實現況。台灣政策法是建基於過去三十年來台美關係的重要基石─台灣關係法─上，但並未修改，也不會凌駕於其上。

台灣政策法》曾在第一百一十二屆美國國會中被提出，並通過外交事務委員會審查，但截至該屆國會於2012年秋天散會之前，該項法案並未送交眾院表決。

俄亥俄州共和黨議員夏波（Steve Chabot）、美屬薩摩亞民主黨代表法里歐馬維加（Eni Faleomavaega）、羅斯雷提能議員（Ileana Ros-Lehtinen）、阿拉巴馬州共和黨議員布魯克斯（Mo Brooks）、加州共和黨議員羅拉巴克（Dana Rohracacher）、喬治亞州共和黨議員柯林斯（Doug Collins），以及賓州共和黨議員裴瑞（Scott Perry）等八位眾議員出席4月25日的審議聽證會。

小 組委員會主席夏波議員說道：「此法案將強化我等兩國的關係，而在此我要特別強調『兩國』，因為台灣是一個民主國家及一個長期的美國盟友，而它也應該受到美 國政府如是的對待。」法里歐馬維加代表說：「我們通過這項法案的原因，是因為我們要讓台灣可以持續保有其民主。」羅拉巴克議員強調台灣是一個民主自由之 邦，而裴瑞議員則說：「我認為我們需要突破現有台美關係的框架，進而將台美關係正常化。」羅斯雷提能議員總結道：「台灣是美國重要的友邦，通過這項法案代 表著我們的支持，也向台灣人重申我們是多麼重視台美友誼。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「這個法案是過去十年中，關於台美關係最重要的一件法案。若此法案通過，將更加保障台灣在國際社會的自由空間。」

高博士總結道：「法案通過小組委員會後，必須通過外交事務委員會，接著由眾議院投票表決，才能送交參議院，並在參院中再經過相似的程序。台灣人公共事務會將會動員全美的會員，發揮草根力量，確保這項重要的法案盡速通過立法。」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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U.S. Representatives Introduce Resolution Calling For U.S.-Taiwan Diplomatic Relations And End To U.S. “One China” Policy

U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Robert Andrews (D-NJ) today introduced a resolution calling upon the United States government to resume diplomatic relations with Taiwan and to end the U.S. One China Policy.

Of the five countries in the world that the United States government currently does not diplomatically recognize (Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Bhutan and Taiwan), Taiwan is the only democracy.  The resolution underscores that Taiwan “has been a steadfast ally of the United States and a responsible and compassionate member of the world community.”

Similar resolutions were introduced in previous Congresses by former Reps. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), John Linder (R-GA), and by Rep. McCaul himself – all staunch Taiwan supporters in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The McCaul/Andrews resolution urges that:

1. The President should abandon the fundamentally flawed ‘One China Policy’ in favor of a more realistic ‘One China, One Taiwan Policy’ that recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign and independent country, separate from the Communist regime in Beijing;
2. The President should begin the process of resuming normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan; and
3. The President, the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, and other relevant United States officials should aggressively support Taiwan’s full participation in the United Nations and any other international organization of which the United States is a member, and for which statehood is a requirement for membership.

FAPA President Mark Kao Ph.D. states: “China’s Communist Government continues to force nations around the world to choose between Taipei or Beijing.  However, maintaining separate recognition with both China AND Taiwan would be an excellent model for those nations which seek to have diplomatic ties with both governments in a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Dr. Kao, adds: “Introduction of the resolution reflects the sense within the U.S. Congress that the U.S. ‘One China Policy’ is increasingly untenable, as it is clearly outdated, and out of touch with the unmistakable reality that Taiwan is a free, democratic, independent and sovereign nation. By adopting a more realistic and pragmatic ‘One China, One Taiwan’ policy, the United States can set an example for other countries in the world to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan as well.”

美國聯邦眾議員提案呼籲美國重建與台灣外交關係並廢除一中政策

華府訊（2013年4月10日）─美國德州共和黨眾議員麥考（Michael McCaul）與紐澤西州民主黨共議員安德魯斯（Robert Andrews）於今天提案，呼籲美國政府重建與台灣之外交關係，並廢除一中政策。

美國政府目前在外交關係上，不承認的五個國家中（伊朗、北韓、古巴、不丹，以及台灣），只有台灣是民主國家。這項決議案並強調台灣「一直以來都是美國的穩定盟友，以及有責任心及同情心的國際社會成員。」

前科羅拉多州共和黨眾議員唐克多（Tom Tancredo）、前喬治亞州共和黨眾議員林德爾（John Linder）與麥考議員等美國眾院中的台灣支持者，都曾於過去的院會中提出過相似的決議案。

今次提出的決議案中呼籲：

1. 美國總統應揚棄大有瑕疵的一中政策，改採符合現狀的「一中一台」政策以承認台灣為一主權獨立國家；
2. 美國總統應展開與台 灣復交的相關程序；
3. 美國總統、美國常駐聯合國代表，以及其他相關之美國官員，應積極支持台灣完全參與聯合國及其他需以國家身份入會的國際組織。

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「中共政府持續強迫世界各國於台北與北京中間擇一，然而，對尋求與雙邊政府都能有互利關係的國家而言，能與兩國皆保持外交關係是最好的依循模式。」

高博士補充：「此決議案的提案也反映出美國國會認為『一中政策』已愈發不何時宜，且已與台灣是一個自由、民主、主權獨立的國家這項事實背道而馳。美國如能採納較反應現況且實際的『一個中國、一個台灣』政策，並將對台灣關係正常化，將為其他國家樹立良好的典範。」

Photo Credit: CSUF Photos (Flickr)

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