For Immediate Release
Washington DC – May 19, 2004
Contact: (202) 547-3686
U.S. Representatives Congratulate President Chen and Vice-President Lu On Eve Of Inauguration
In a letter dated May 19, 55 members of the U.S. House of Representatives -led by Congressional Taiwan Caucus co-chairs Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)- congratulate Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu with their March 20 reelection.
The Representatives write: “We write to congratulate you on your election as President of Taiwan and the people of Taiwan for their historic vote to strengthen democracy in Taiwan.”
They affirm their support for Taiwan: “Congress and the American people remain unequivocally committed in their support for the people of Taiwan, and it is important that we highlight this momentous occasion and the unbreakable bond between our two peoples.”
In the letter, the Representatives also issue a warning to Beijing: “We strongly believe that continued statements coming from Beijing threatening to use force against Taiwan are unacceptable.”
They conclude: “Please know that although we seek first and foremost to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the United States is committed to ensuring that the future of Taiwan be determined peacefully by the people of Taiwan and free from outside threats, intimidation, or interference.”
FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: “Not only does this letter congratulate President Chen and Vice President Lu with their reelection victory, it also affirms United States Congress’ firm support for the people of Taiwan and praises them for their deepening of Taiwan’s democracy. And most importantly, it affirms policy recommendations for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and the cross-strait relationship.”
Wu continues, “The vision Congress holds for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and the cross-Strait relationship is clearly based on the precondition that Taiwan is an independent, sovereign and democratic country. It is good to know that this vision -as illustrated in this letter- overlaps with the vision and the policies President Chen has for Taiwan.”
520就職典禮前夕，美眾議院聯署致函，恭祝陳呂兩人再度連任
在520就職典禮即將於台灣登場前夕，美國國會55位眾議員在台灣連線共同主席夏波(Steve Chabot, R-OH)與布朗(Sherrod Brown, D-OH)的帶領之下，於今日發表聯署恭賀信函，祝賀陳水扁總統與呂秀蓮副總統兩人再度連任。
議員們在信函中開宗明義地表示：「我們在這裡恭祝您成功（再度）當選為台灣總統；並祝賀台灣人民以歷史性的選票，參與協助民主深化的進程。」議員們接著表示：「美國國會與美國人民將繼續清楚地維持他們對台灣人民的支持的承諾；也因此，強調這個特殊的時刻以及兩國人民之間不可分割的情感是格外重要的。」
這封賀函除了恭賀陳總統連任成功之外，議員們並在信中表達他們對一些台海局勢的看法與建議，並期望美國國會在往後四年，能夠與台灣政府就各項議題繼續合作與密切溝通。
針對中國對台的軍事威脅，議員們則在信中毫不隱藏他們的不滿。議員們表示：「我們深信，北京方面一再欲以武力脅迫台灣的言論是無法令人接受的。」議員們接著表示：「美國信守確保台灣前途必須在不受外力威脅、恐嚇與干涉之下，由台灣人民和平決定的承諾。」
FAPA會長吳明基表示：「這封信函除了恭祝陳總統與呂副總統的成功連任之外，也重申美國國會對台灣人民的堅定支持與對台灣人民高度參與民主深化進程的讚揚。更重要的是，這封信描述了美國國會對未來四年，台海議題與台美關係的政策走向與建議。」吳明基最後表示：「詳細閱讀這封信函，我們佷清楚的可以看出美國國會對於台美關係與兩岸問題的未來發展，是以台灣為一個主權獨立的民主國家為前提與基準。而最值得慶幸的是，美國國會在此封信函中提及的各項建議與願景，其實和扁政府的政策有著相當大的公約數。」
