FAPA Statement On Scottish Referendum On Independence

As a grassroots organization promoting freedom, human rights and democracy for the people of Taiwan, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs applauds the way the Scottish referendum was held on September 18. It marked a milestone in the exercise of democracy and set a standard and example for other countries and peoples around the world to emulate.

This independence referendum presented the world with a perfect example to exercise the principles of direct democracy, and the people’s rights of self-determination. The British and Scottish people are to be commended for the mature, reasonable and rational way the referendum was conducted by both sides.

Many ask in what way the Scottish referendum has implications for Taiwan.  We do want to highlight two aspects: the process of the referendum, and economic (over)dependence.

The Scottish referendum process was fair and equitable: it required a simple majority of the votes cast and the question posed to the electorate was straightforward.  In contrast, Taiwan’s current Referendum Act limits the people’s right to hold a fair and effective referendum. The unreasonably high thresholds, complicated manipulation of the questions, and many other restrictions prevent the Taiwanese people from exercising their democracy through a referendum.

The Taiwanese people are also prevented from exercising a free choice on their future by an aggressive and expansionist neighbor, China. Although Taiwan is a de facto sovereign and independent country, China has continued to push Taiwan into diplomatic isolation and forced other nations to only have “unofficial” ties with Taiwan by its claims to sovereignty over Taiwan and its threat of the use of force.

A second aspect relates to economic overdependence: An important reason the Scottish vote came out in favor of remaining within the United Kingdom was Scottish overdependence on England: it has no industrial base to speak of, and its service sector (banking, insurance etc). is totally dominated by the British.  This fact carries a warning for Taiwan not to let its economy become overdependent on China.

FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D. comments: “The example of Scotland’s referendum shows that if contentious disagreements can be solved by democratic means, a society can enjoy peace, stability, and prosperity in a sustainable way.

In terms of the process, we hereby call upon the Taiwan government to amend the current Referendum Act and remove the restrictions and thresholds of people’s rights to a referendum. We also call upon the international community to join us in safeguarding the right of self-determination of Taiwanese people.

In terms of economic overdependence, we seriously caution the people and government of Taiwan against letting Taiwan’s economy drift too close to China, so in due time there would be little possibility to make a free choice on the country’s future.

Some people say that the Scots were torn between wanting to vote YES with their hearts (enabling to move towards independence) but NO with their heads (concerned about the economic consequences of the vote).

We are wholeheartedly convinced that the people of Taiwan would want to vote YES with their heads and their hearts!  The people of Taiwan are entitled to decide their own future. The international community needs to provide the people of Taiwan the space to do so, without outside coercion.”

台灣人公共事務會「蘇格蘭獨立公投」聲明稿

做為一個提倡台灣人民自由、人權，以及民主的草根性組織，台灣人公共事務會深切讚許9月18日蘇格蘭獨立公投的舉辦過程。這次公投是民主實踐的重要里程碑，也為世界各國立下了良好的典範。

這次獨立公投為世界立下了直接民主制，以及人民自決權實踐的楷模。英國人及蘇格蘭人在這次公投中都展現了成熟且理性的民主風範，殊勘嘉許。

許多人疑問蘇格蘭公投與台灣的關係，茲在此提出兩個面向：公投的過程，以及經濟上的過度依賴。

蘇格蘭公投的過程公平合理：公投通過的門檻為「有效票過半」的相對多數，且公投題目簡單易懂。相對地，台灣現行的公投法限制了人民舉辦公平有效的公投。除了不合理的通過門檻，對於公投題目的文字操弄，以及許多其他的限制導致台灣人民無法透過公投真正實踐民主。事實上，從11年前立法院通過公投法後，沒有任何公投案順利通過門檻。

除此之外，台灣人民自由決定自己未來的權利也被中國擴張主義式的侵略野心所侵犯。縱使台灣是一個實質上主權獨立的國家，中國持續對台灣實行外交孤立，並持續以對台宣示主權及軍事力量的脅迫，強迫其他國家只能與台灣維持「非官方」的外交關係。

而有關經濟上的過度依賴：蘇格蘭公投結果為「不獨立」的其中一個重要原因就是蘇格蘭對英國的經濟依賴。蘇格蘭沒有任何基本產業可言，而諸如銀行、保險等服務業又受英國主控。這個現象應被視為台灣不可在經濟上過度依賴中國的借鏡。

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「蘇格蘭公投的過程顯示，有歧見的爭端若可以透過民主手段解決，社會便可長久享有和平、穩定、繁榮。」

「在公投程序上，我們在此呼籲台灣政府修改現行的公投法，並移除種種對人民參與公投的限制。我們同時呼籲國際社會與我們一同守護台灣人民的自決權。」

「在經濟過度依賴上，我們嚴正告誡台灣政府及人民，不應讓台灣經濟過度向中國靠攏，以免日後難以對國家的未來做出自由的選擇。」

「有人認為蘇格蘭人在公投上陷入了心裡希望獨立的『感性』以及顧慮到獨立後的經濟狀況的『理性』的兩難中。」

「我們相信台灣人民不論在理性面或感性面上都會在獨立公投上選擇『獨立』！台灣人民有權決定自己的未來，而國際社會應該要提供充分的空間，讓台灣人民可以免於外在威脅。」

Photo Credit: Lawrence OP (Flickr)

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FAPA Statement On The Nuclear Four Debate In Taiwan

For more than two decades, a heated debate has been raging on and off in Taiwan about the desirability of a Fourth Nuclear Power Plant at Kungliao, only 26 miles from Taipei.  Plans were made as early as the 1980s, funds were allocated in the early 1990s, and actual construction was started in 1999.

TaiPower, the state-owned enterprise responsible for construction and operation of the plant did not follow the normal “turnkey” procedure, but managed the construction itself, and contracted General Electric of the United States to build the reactors, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan to supply the turbines and generators, while many local companies received lucrative subcontracts.  This led to major delays and cost-overruns: similar power plants in other countries generally take 4 years to build.  Nuclear Four is now in its 15^th year of construction.

However, since the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan, opposition against the completion of the power plant has significantly increased.  The major reasons are that the Kungliao plant is of similar design as the Fukushima reactors, is also located on a seismic fault line, and is close to the sea, where it would be subject to being struck by a tsunami.  In addition, the fact that the plant is only 26 miles from Taipei means that in case of a disaster, a major metropolitan area of nearly seven million people would have to be evacuated, a sheer impossible task.

During the past years, there have been numerous efforts through the regular political system to stop construction of the plant and to decide that it should not go into operation.  These efforts included introduction of a referendum.  Under normal circumstances such a referendum would easily pass, as opinion polls show that an overwhelming majority opposes Nuclear Four.

However, Taiwan has an archaic referendum law, which stipulates that a referendum only passes if more than 50% of the eligible voters express themselves in favor of such a referendum.  This threshold is unreasonably high and in practical terms impossible to reach. Not a single referendum in the United States would pass if these rules were applied.

What has now added urgency to the discussion is that on Tuesday April 22^nd 2014, veteran Taiwan democracy leader Lin Yi-hsiung, who served as DPP party chairman between 1998 and 2000, went on an indefinite hunger strike at his former home, now a Presbyterian Church, where on February 28^th 1980 his mother and twin-daughters were knifed to death in what was widely believed to be a political murder.  The case was never resolved.  Lin has vowed to fast to the end if the government does not agree to halting construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.

FAPA believes

1. That an immediate moratorium on the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant is called for;
2. That the Ma Ying-jeou Administration  needs to agree to a fair and equitable referendum at the earliest possible time so the people in Taiwan can decide whether they want the plant to go into operation or not, and
3. That the existing clause in the Referendum Act, which requires 50% of the eligible voters to express themselves in favor, needs to be dropped immediately.

As concerned Taiwanese-Americans, we care deeply about Taiwan and its future as a free and democratic nation.  We express our strong support for Mr. Lin Yi-hsiung and his goals, and urge the Taiwan government of President Ma Ying-jeou to respond in accordance with the principles of true democracy.

台灣人公共事務會對台灣核四議題之聲明稿

位於貢寮的第四個核能發電廠（核四），是否該繼續興建的議題已經在台灣被熱烈的討論長達20年之久。而貢寮位在離台北約41公里處。核四計畫早在1980年代便開始，預算則在1990年代早期就已編列，然後1999年正式開始建造。

負責核四之施工及運作的國營企業，台灣電力公司（台電），沒有依循正常的總承包契約模式進行，反而自行規劃施工流程，除了承包給美國的奇異公司來製造核能發電廠的反應爐之外，把渦輪機和發電機委外給日本的三菱重工業，同時許多台灣在地的公司也獲得了利潤豐厚的分包契約。這個分包的模式造成了核四工程的嚴重停滯與成本超支，在其他國家的核能發電廠通常只需要4年來建造，但是核四卻只是進入第15年的施工。

然而，自從2011年3月，日本發生了空前的福島第一核電廠輻射大量外露的事件，對於是否完成核四興建的這個政策，台灣內部的反對聲浪顯著的增加。最主要的原因是，貢寮的核電廠採用類 似於福島核能反應爐的設計，並且核四也將落址於靠近海邊的地震斷層線上。那樣的地理位置，有可能會使得核電廠受到海嘯的破壞。此外，核四距離台北只有41公里的這個事實，意味了一旦有什麼天災發生，在一個擁有將近七百萬人口的大都會，必須要能夠緊急撤離所有居民，根本純粹是個不可能的任務。

在過去的幾年，有許多人努力想透過正常的政治程序，試著停止核四的建造，以及決定核四不應該進行運作，而當中也包含了公民投票的引用。在正常的情況下，這樣的公民投票應該是會輕鬆地通過，因為民意調查顯示了反對核四的人佔壓倒性的多數。

然而，台灣的公民投票法已經過時了，該法規定，只有當百分之五十以上有選舉投票權的人投票贊成，才可通過。這是個非常不合理的高門檻，並且實際上不可能達成。如果這個規定用在美國，沒有一個公投案會通過。

而如今，關乎這個議題的討論，因為林義雄在4月22日星期二開始了無限期的絕食運動，更增加了急迫性。這位受到台灣人敬仰的，且長期為台灣民主化運動盡心盡力，曾擔任1998到2000年的民進黨黨主席的林義雄，他絕食的地點位於長老教會，該教會是由他的舊宅改建，也正是他的母親和他的一對雙胞胎女兒，於1980年2月28日遭到謀殺而命喪黃泉的地方。這關乎三條人命且被視為政治謀殺的命案，至今未破案。如果政府不同意停止核四的施工，林義雄發誓要絕食到底。

台灣人公共事務會主張：

1. 呼籲核四發電廠立即暫停施工
2. 馬英九政府需要儘快地同意去採取一個公平且公正的公民投票，這樣台灣人民可以決定是否希望發電廠進行作業。
3. 目前公民投票法的第30條條文，規定「百分之五十以上有選舉投票權的人投票贊成，才可通過」，應當被即刻移除。

我們台美人深切地關心台灣人民的自由，以及台灣作為一個民主國家的未來。我們向林義雄，與他正在奮鬥目標，表達我們台美人對其堅定的支持。我們也向馬英九總統敦促，政府應當依循民主原則對林義雄和社會大眾做出回應。

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

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Taiwan Caucus Co-Chairs Express Dismay About Administration’s Opposition To Taiwan’s Referendum Plans

In a letter to President Bush dated March 5, 2008 three co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus urge the President to “remain silent on [Taiwan’s UN referendum] for the remainder of the ongoing presidential election campaign in Taiwan.  The US should not be perceived as taking sides, and should let the democratic process in Taiwan run its course.”

Reps. Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Steve Chabot (R-OH) state: “We are […] disturbed by the fact that over the last few months of 2007, several senior officials of your Administration made statements in which they expressed opposition to Taiwan’s planned referendum, calling it ‘provocative’ and ‘a mistake’.”

They conclude: “Only by standing firmly with democratic Taiwan will we uphold our principles in promoting freedom worldwide.”

FAPA President Bob Yang, PhD, states: “The 23 million people of Taiwan have a right to hold such a referendum. And clearly, Taiwan’s Referendum is not a ‘provocation’, except to those who view it through China’s lenses. Referendum is a peaceful exercise of the purest form of democracy as seen in many countries around the world. We therefore urge every eligible voter in Taiwan to participate in this important democratic exercise.”

眾議院台灣連線主席對美行政部門反對台灣入聯公投深表失望

眾議院台灣連線主席於上週(5日)聯署致函布希總統，呼籲布希總統不要就台灣即將舉行的入聯公投表示任何反對意見。他們在信中表示：「美國不應該被視為選邊站，應該讓民主程序順其自然地發展。」

柏克麗、羅拉巴克與夏波議員表示：「對於去年年底數位行政部門數位官員一再強烈反對台灣的入聯公投，宣稱此舉挑釁並是一個錯誤，我們感到困擾。」「只有堅定地與民主的台灣站在一起，我們才能謹守（美國）提倡世界自由的原則。」

FAPA會長楊英育表示：「台灣兩千三百萬人民有權利舉行公投。只有透過中國的菱鏡來看，才會認為此舉是挑釁的行為；世界各國早已舉行過無數次公民投票，因為這是民主體制中最基本的一個表彰。我們誠摯呼籲台灣的選民能支持這個重要的民主程序。」

Photo Credit: April Brady/Project on Middle East Democracy (Flickr)

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67 Taiwanese American Groups Call For U.S. Support For Taiwan Referendum In Washington Post Ad

On Sunday February 10, 67 Taiwanese American sponsors will place a half page advertisement in the Washington Post seeking support for Taiwan’s upcoming UN referendum. The ad will appear in the Post’s “Outlook” section, the must-read section for political pundits and for readers interested in foreign policy.

The ad expresses the sentiment of a vast roster of Taiwanese American organizations that strongly support the democratic referendum plans.

Deeply disturbed by the fact that over the last few months of 2007 several high officials of the Bush Administration made statements in which they express opposition to Taiwan’s planned referendum, calling it “provocative” and “a mistake,” the organizations felt that time for action is now.

In the ad the organizations not only urge the United States government to support Taiwan’s full membership in international organizations, they also urge President Bush to “trust the people of Taiwan to choose a future of freedom and peace,” by supporting Taiwan’s upcoming democratic referendum.

FAPA President Bob Yang states: “We believe that US repeated high-volume opposition to the referendum casts doubt upon the US willingness to stand up for democracy, and undermines the US position as a champion of democracy in East Asia.”

Dr. Yang concludes: “We ask that the US support Taiwan’s upcoming referendum. And if -for whatever reason- they are unable to support it, we ask that they at least keep quiet and let Taiwan’s democratic process run its course.”

The organizations urge President Bush to make good on his words when he said in his Second Inaugural address in 2004: “So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture…” Also, when he stated in his recent State of the Union Address on January 28th 2008: “Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace.”

The ad concludes: “There can be no double standard when it comes to supporting democracy.”

六十七個台美人團體聯登華郵廣告，呼籲美國政府支持台灣入聯公投 

六十七個台美人社團將於二月十日在對美國政界最具影響力的華盛頓郵報聯登半版廣告，尋求美國各界對台灣三月入聯公投的支持。台美團體特地選在華郵每週日的「展望」專輯刊登此廣告，主要是有鑑於「展望」專輯是美國政界人士與關心外交事務民眾必讀的專欄。

過去幾個月以來，美國行政部門官員一再公開反對台灣的入聯公投，批評入聯公投是一挑釁、錯誤的舉動，廣泛引起台美社團的不滿，因而決定直接訴諸美國讀者，以刊登廣告的方式表達眾多台美團體支持民主公投的強烈意願。

這個廣告不只呼籲美國政府支持台灣在國際組織裡的完整會員籍，並呼籲布希總統應支持台灣民主投票以展現他信任台灣人民將會「選擇一個自由與和平的未來」。

廣告裡引用布希總統2004年的第二任就職演說，「美國政策旨在尋找與支持各個國家和文化裡的民主運動與制度的成長⋯⋯」；廣告接著並引用日前布希總統任內最後一次的國情諮文：「我們的外交政策是建構在一個清楚的前提之下，那就是我們相信人民，在給予選擇機會時，會『選擇一個自由與和平的未來』。」廣告最後並以「支持民主不能有雙重標準」為結尾。

FAPA會長楊英育表示：「美國持續高分貝地反對入聯公投，不僅令人懷疑美國是否真心有意支持民主，並且有損美國在東亞為民主捍衛者的的聲譽。」

楊英育繼續表示：「我們希望美國能支持入聯公投。但無論是什麼原因導致美國無法支持入聯公投時，我們要求美國至少能選擇不再公開出聲反對，尊重並讓台灣的民主程序順其自然發展。」

Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz (Flickr)

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Members Of Congress Challenge Bush Administration’s Objection Against Taiwan’s UN Referendum Plan

On December 19, two House Foreign Affairs Committee members, Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Tom Tancredo (R-CO) wrote to Secretary Rice, expressing their utmost displeasure at the Administration’s continued public criticism on Taiwan’s UN referendum plan next March. “The people of Taiwan have earned their right to conduct their elections without coercion from our government, the government of the People’s Republic of China, or anyone else – and we should respect their right to do so”, the letter concludes.

This letter is yet the strongest rebuke from Congress against the Administration on the referendum issue. The Congressmen listed every statement by the Administration and are deeply concerned over the Administration’s actions.  They wrote, “One or two public statements would be quite sufficient to convey the Administrations position…..It is not necessary to continue dispatching an endless parade of U.S. officials to denounce and attack a proposal over a six month stretch while parroting the terminology used by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.”

FAPA Executive Director Wen-yen Chen says, “This letter by these two long-time Taiwan’s ardent supporters expressed the exact sentiment of many in Taiwan and here in the United States. As a US-based organization that advocates for Taiwan in the international community, we are dismayed, frustrated and disappointed at the U.S. Administration’s opposition to the UN referendum.”

Chen continues, “When the U.S. is championing democracy and freedom to take hold in Iraq, Burma, Russia and other corners of the world, and when President Bush himself urged China to emulate Taiwan for Taiwan’s impressive democratic achievements, it is the greatest irony that the Bush Administration has decided to oppose Taiwan’s UN plan simply to appease the Beijing regime.”

美眾議員就台灣入聯公投，強烈讉責布希政府

眾議院外交事務委員會成員羅拉巴克與唐克多議員昨日聯署致函美國國務卿萊斯，不滿布希政府一再公開反對台灣入聯公投。他們表示：「台灣人民已爭取到在不受我們政府，中華人民共和國政府或是任何他國政府威脅下舉行各項選舉的權利－我們應該尊重他們的權利。」

這是美國國會截至目前為止就台灣入聯公投一事，措詞最強烈的一份聲明。議員們在信中一一列舉出布希政府官員近幾個月來公開反對台灣入聯公投的言論。議員們表示：「一次或二次公開發佈聲明應該足以表達行政部門的立場…..在六個月之內一而再、再而三地派遣官員反對與攻擊這個提案是不要的，尤其（我們）只是重覆中國外交部的詞藻。」

FAPA執行長陳文彥表示：「這兩位長期堅定支持台灣的國會朋友的信函，正表達了許多台灣人民與在美僑民的心聲。身為一個為台灣爭取國際支持的美國民間組織，我們對於美國政府反對入聯公投的立場感到訝異、沮喪與失望。」

陳文彥繼續表示：「當美國在伊拉克、緬甸、俄國等世界各地高倡民主與自由，當布希總統本人曾公開呼籲中國向台灣的民主成就學習的時候，布希政府在此時卻為了討好中國而反對台灣入聯公投時，這是對台灣民主最大的諷刺。」

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore (Flickr)

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Senate Taiwan Caucus Chair Issues Statement Supporting Taiwan Referendum

In a statement supporting a Taiwan referendum today, Senator George Allen, co-chair and founder of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, concludes: “Taiwan’s referendum law is a basic democratic right that the United States should support rather than denigrate.”

The statement was entered into the Congressional Record.

The Senator continues: “Taiwan, our ally and friend, is a democracy. Its people have every right to hold their referendum this March 20th.” And “There can be no double standard when it comes to exercising democracy.”

Earlier, Rep. Joseph Hoeffel (D-PA) who is running for the Senate, issued a similar statement in support of a Taiwan referendum. Hoeffel stated on January 21: “We must support this exercise of the right of free expression, which is consistent with our own values.”

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) echoed that sentiment on February 3: “I feel the 23 million people of Taiwan have a right to hold such a referendum.”

Rep. Chris Bell (D-TX) stated on February 4: “This peace referendum is the first step in that process and the right of the Taiwanese people.”

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: “These Congressional statements are only the tip of the iceberg of the current support in Congress for a Taiwan referendum on March 20. We will encourage other Members of Congress to speak out in support of a Taiwan referendum.”

美國會議員、參議院台灣連線共同主席發表聲明支持台灣三月公投

美參議院台灣連線發起人暨共同主席艾倫(George Allen, R-VA)於今日發表國會聲明(Congressional Record)，公開表示他對台灣即將舉行的公民投票深表支持。

參議員艾倫早在去年十月中旬，即曾與另一共和黨參議員凱爾(Jon Kyl, R-AZ)聯署致函布希總統，呼籲布希總統認同台灣公投。他們在信中表達台灣前途必須和平解決，並終須得到台灣人民的公開同意。當時這封信並引述陳總統520就職演說中的承諾之一：不就台灣獨立一事舉行公投。參議員們表示陳總統的言論證明了他無意片面改變台海現狀，而台灣人民也有舉行公投的權利。

艾倫議員今天的國會聲明則延續他上封信的立場。此項聲明明白指出：「有人說這（台灣公投）將把台灣帶入戰爭的深淵。這樣的講法是嚴重地扭曲了台灣舉行公投的原本意義。」艾倫議員的聲明接著表示陳水扁總統即將舉行的「和平公投」僅僅是為了回應中國對台灣日益嚴重的軍事威脅。聲明最後表示：「台灣，我們的盟友與朋友，是一民主國家。他們的人民有任何的權利在三月二十日舉行公民投票。…. 實踐民主不能有雙重標準。」

除了艾倫參議員於今日發表國會聲明，聲援台灣公投外，數位眾議員也在近日來發表類似聲明。

有意角逐賓州參議員席次的霍佛(Joseph Hoeffel, D-PA)眾議員在一月二十一日的國會聲明表示：「我們必須支持這種自由表達的權利，它與我們的價值相符合。」

紐澤西州議員蓋瑞特(Scott Garrett, R-NJ)則在二月三日發表國會聲明表示：「我認為台灣二千三百萬人民有權利舉行公民投票。」

德州的貝爾議員(Chris Bell, D-TX)也在昨日（四日）發表聲明表示：「根據聯合國憲意第三條….台灣人民有表達立場與保護自己免於受傷害的權利。這個和平公投是朝向那程序的第一步與一個屬於台灣人民的權利。」

FAPA會長吳明基表示：「這幾項國會聲明只是美國國會廣大支持台灣三月公投的一小部份。FAPA將繼續就此議題與美國國會接觸。可預期的是有更多的國會議員將隨之跟進，公開支持台灣三月的公民投票。」

Photo Credit: Congress.gov (Wikimedia Commons)

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U.S. Representative Urges Taiwan To Hold Referendum

Today, Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ), using the 54th anniversary of the deployment by President Harry Truman of the US 7th Fleet to the Taiwan Strait to protect Taiwan against the possibility of an invasion by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), issued a statement urging his fellow Members of Congress “and the Administration to support Taiwanese efforts to hold a referendum vote on the issue of admittance into the WHO.”

The Congressman continues: “The people of Taiwan deserve to have their voices heard in this ongoing debate, the outcome of which will have a monumental effect on their health and well-being. As the foremost promoter of freedom and democracy around the world, we can not in good faith deter the people of Taiwan from holding their referendum. There can be no double standard when it comes to exercising democracy.”

In his statement, which will be followed by the introduction of a resolution later today expressing US concern about the PRC continued refusal to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, Rep. Andrews also states that China must not have a say in Taiwan’s future. “No group but the citizenry of Taiwan has the right to determine the future of Taiwan,” the Congressman says.

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu states: “Representative Andrews’ remarks on a referendum in Taiwan are very timely. FAPA believes that a referendum is the foremost and most democratic and practical means to let the voice of a people be heard. It is therefore important and urgent that Taiwan’s legislature passes the necessary plebiscite laws enabling the people of Taiwan to have their voice heard. Nobody but the people of Taiwan has the right to determine the future of Taiwan!”

美議員公開支持台灣公投　

近日來美國是否支持台灣舉行公投在美台間引起了宣然大波。有別於行政部門模糊不清的態度，美國紐澤西眾議員安德魯斯(Robert Andrews, D-NJ)在今日藉由杜魯門總統派遣第七艦隊至台灣海峽五十四週年紀念之際發表書面聲明，支持台灣前途以和平方式解決，而且必須得到台灣人民的同意。安德魯斯議員並表示他支持台灣以公投方式表達加入世衛組織的意願。

安德魯斯議員的書面聲明將載入國會記錄(Congressional Record)。安德魯斯議員表示：「中國佈署在福建沿海的飛彈無助於台灣與中國關係的和平解決。我們不能期待台灣人民每天活在這種受威脅與不確定的日子。在民主之名下，我們必須確定台灣前途必須和平解決，並且終需得到台灣人民的同意。」安德魯斯議員繼續表示：「在此同時，我也籲請我的同僚們支持台灣人民就是否參與世衛一事舉行公投。台灣人民有權利讓他們的聲音在這場持續性的辯論中被聽到，其結果將對台灣人民健康與福利有深遠的影響。我們（美國）自許為世界上自由與民主的首要提倡者，我們不應眜著良心阻止台灣人民舉行公投。民主的實踐不應有雙重標準。」

安德魯斯議員最後表示：「只有台灣人民才有權利決定台灣的前途。」

台灣人公共事務會FAPA會長吳明基表示：「我們非常感謝安德魯斯議員今日的聲明。這樣的聲明是對台灣民主的鼓勵與信任，畢竟公民投票是展現民意最直接的方式，台灣身為一民主國家，理當應有公投法及相關制度，以提供台灣人民有機會就民生重大議題表示意見。支持公投是FAPA堅定的立場，我們也認為台灣立法院通過公投法是非常重要與迫切的。公投為一民主的基本實踐與人民意志的最高表徵，任何攸關台灣前途的決定都必須得台灣人民的最終同意。」

Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz (Flickr)

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FAPA Urges Bush To More Proactively Support Taiwanese Self-Determination And Further Open The Door On Independence

On June 18, 2003, the President of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), Ming-chi Wu, wrote to President Bush, asking him to clarify U.S. policy towards Taiwan and to more proactively support Taiwanese self-determination. The letter comes in the wake of President Bush’s meeting on June 1, with PRC President Hu Jintao. A senior Administration official quoted Bush as saying that President Bush did not “support Taiwan independence.”

FAPA shares the concern that PRC officials may misinterpret this statement and claim that the U.S. is actively opposed to Taiwanese independence, when in fact Bush Administration officials have previously stated that any cross-strait issues must be negotiated in a peaceful way and with the express consent of the people of Taiwan. The U.S. must make its position on Taiwan clear.

The letter reminds the Bush Administration that the United States must in principle support the right of the Taiwanese people to self-determination. FAPA agrees with Former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Jesse Helms who stated in April of 2001, “As a revolutionary nation ourselves, the U.S. has little moral authority to foreclose [the] option [of independence] to the 23 million free people who live in Taiwan.”

The letter states: “A basic principle of democracy, as so forcefully posited by our Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, is the right of a people to decide their own future – the right of self-determination.”

FAPA president Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D., states, “The United States must stand by its basic principle of independence through self-determination. Only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine the future of Taiwan!”

Full Text of the Letter

President George W. Bush                                        
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

Taiwanese Americans from across the country join me in thanking you for your continued strong support for the safety and security of democratic Taiwan.  I can assure you that our own thanks is echoed across Taiwan itself by the citizens there who are so rightly proud of their long struggle to build a human rights respecting democracy and who are determined to retain this painfully won political freedom.

We know how strongly you support democratic development around the globe.  A basic principle of democracy, as so forcefully posited by our Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, is the right of a people to decide their own future, the right of self-determination. Taiwanese Americans firmly believe that the citizens of Taiwan have this right and we also believe that the United States should support it. China’s self-appointed leaders have constantly tried to get the United States to agree to their “One China Principle,” which denies this right to the people of Taiwan by claiming Taiwan is already an integral of the PRC.

As you well know, the United States has never accepted this Chinese position.  All that the three U.S.-China communiqué do is “acknowledge” China’s claim; never has the U.S. “recognized” it.  Instead, our U.S. “One China Policy” is that there should be a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan Strait issue with the U.S. supporting no predetermined outcome, leaving it up to the two sides to decide what a “future one China” might be.  The U.S. has also noted that, because Taiwan is a democracy, the people of Taiwan must consent to any negotiated outcome of the Taiwan Strait issue.

It thus comes as an unwelcome surprise to our community, and the citizens of Taiwan, to hear a “senior official” give a background briefing regarding your June 1, 2003 meeting with President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China and state, “On Taiwan, the President repeated our policy of a one-China policy based on the three communiqué, the Taiwan Relations Act, no support for Taiwan independence.  The Chinese basically accepted that, and said, okay, that’s positive.  They did say that they have concerns about forces on Taiwan moving towards independence.  The President said, we don’t support independence.”

We believe the Chinese leaders will misinterpret this statement and claim that the United States is actively opposed to Taiwanese independence.  We do not believe this is your intent.

The United States must stand by its own fundamental principles, including the right of a people to self-determination. Former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Senator Jesse Helms elaborated on the right of self-determination for the people of Taiwan on April 21, 2001: “[…]; as a revolutionary nation ourselves, the U.S. has little moral authority to foreclose that option [of independence] to the 23 million free people who live in Taiwan.”

We believe that Taiwan is a model for citizens in other autocratic states to emulate.  The United States, under your leadership, actively endorses the movement toward democracy as the one clear way to root out terrorists and their breeding grounds.

Clear U.S. support for the right of self-determination of the people of Taiwan would give heart to those engaged in such struggles around the world.

Sincerely,
Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D.
President, FAPA

FAPA籲請布希總統積極支持台灣人民自決，並對台灣獨立採取更為開放的態度

有鑑於六月一日美國總統布希和中國總理胡錦濤會談時，一位白宮資深官員向記者們作簡報時表達了布希總統並不支持「台灣獨立」的立場。台灣人公共事務會 (FAPA) 會長吳明基於六月十七日致函美國總統布希，籲請布希總統能夠澄清美國對台政策，並更積極地支持台灣人民自決權。

FAPA掛慮中國官方會因此誤解美國政府的對台政策，並進而斷言美國積極反對「台灣獨立」。因為事實上布希政府在過去不同場合中曾一再聲明，任何攸關海峽兩岸問題應該以和平方式談判、解決，並須得到台灣人民的同意。FAPA認為美國應該在對台的立場上有更為明確的態度。

此封信並提醒布希政府應該謹守美國支持台灣人民自決權的原則。FAPA相當同意長年來的台灣忠實友人，於去年甫退休的參議院外交事務委員會主席赫姆斯(Jesse Helms, R-NC) 在2001年4月26日所表示的：「…美國本身為一因革命而來的國家，我們沒有太大的道德權力去先行否決台灣兩千三百萬人民的（選擇獨立）決定權 (“[…]; as a revolutionary nation ourselves, the U.S. has little moral authority to foreclose that option [of independence] to the 23 million free people who live in Taiwan.”)。」　信中接著陳述：「誠如我們美國開國元老在獨立宣言與憲法中所明定的，民主的基本原則就是指人人有權決定自己的未來，也就是所謂的『人民自決權』」。

台灣人公共事務會會長吳明基表示：「美國應該要遵守當初其透過人民自決而得來的獨立原則。我們希望布希總統能夠更積極地支持台灣人民自決的權利，並對台灣獨立一事採取較開放的態度。畢竟，人民意志的自由展現為民主的最高表徵。人民自決的原則一再地在歷史中上演，美國在1776年以實際行動決定自己的前途，獨立於英國之外；1960年代一些非洲國家也以人民自決的原則獲得獨立；東帝汶在2001年以公投的方式展現人民的意志，自印尼獨立出來。人民自決是民主實踐中最基本的一原則罷了。FAPA堅信任何攸關台灣二千三百萬人民的重大問題，例如台灣前途等，只有台灣人民才有最終與唯一的決定權！」

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