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-for
immediate release-
Commemorating
50th Anniversary of San Francisco Peace Treaty,
"Assent
of the People of Taiwan" Resolution Introduced in House
September
7, 2001
On September
6, on the eve of the 50th Anniversary of the conclusion
of the San Francisco Peace Treaty (the legal basis for the
right of self-determination for the people of Taiwan), a resolution
(HCR221) concluding that "It is the sense of Congress
that "It is United States policy that the future of
Taiwan should be resolved peacefully, through a democratic
mechanism such as a plebiscite and with the express consent
of the people of Taiwan" was introduced in the House
of Representatives. A similar version will be introduced in
the Senate early next week.
Additionally,
the resolution concludes that "It is United States policy
that Taiwan’s future must be decided by the people of Taiwan
without outside threats, intimidation or interference."
The effort
was led by Rep. Bob Wexler (D-FL), and co-sponsored by Reps.
Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Mike McNulty (D-NY), Bob Stump (R-AZ),
Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Steve Chabot
(R-OH), Al Wynn (D-MD), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), David Wu (D-OR)
Curt Weldon (R-PA), Peter Deutsch (D-FL) and Sherrod Brown
(D-OH).
It states
that the right of the people of Taiwan to determine their
own future was explicitly affirmed by President Clinton in
two speeches done on February 24 and on March 8, 2000, where
he stated that "We will… continue to make absolutely
clear that the issue between Beijing and Taiwan must be resolved
peacefully and with the assent of the people of Taiwan."
The resolution
also affirms President Bush’ explicit commitment made last
April when the President stated that the United States will
help Taiwan defend herself if attacked by China.
Congressman
David Wu (D-OR), an original co-sponsor of the resolution,
states: "The United States has a historical and cultural
bond with the people of Taiwan. We value democracy, human
rights, and the rule of law. I believe it is appropriate and
necessary that the United States support Taiwan, our long-time
friend, in its right of self-determination."
FAPA Acting
President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. says, "During the past
two years, the momentum around the principle that the future
of Taiwan should be determined with the "Assent of the
people of Taiwan" has really gathered steam. The moment
is nigh for this principle to become one of the cornerstones
of U.S. foreign policy! The 50th anniversary of
the San Francisco Peace Treaty provides the U.S. with an excellent
opportunity to do so.
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