On the eve of China's Premier Wen Jia-bao's Washington DC visit, the co-chair of the Senate Taiwan
Caucus, Senator George Allen (R-VA) wrote a letter dated December 4 to Secretary of State Colin
Powell, urging him that “the U.S. State Department not to make any statements in opposition to a
referendum in Taiwan on proposed judicial, legislative or Constitutional changes.”
Senator Allen listed Reagan administration’s “Six Assurances” to reaffirm the United States’
commitment to Taiwan’s sovereignty and security. Senator Allen said, “However, there is
serious concern that State Department officials will make a statement in the coming days in
opposition to Taiwan independence. Such a statement would fundamentally change the United
States’ policy toward Taiwan. ” Senator Allen continued, “ Taiwan referendum law is a basic
democratic right that should be supported by the United States… Since its establishment, the
United States has been the foremost champion of liberty and democracy in the world. We cannot
afford to tell the people of Taiwan not to hold a referendum. There should be no double standard
when it comes to exercising democracy.” Senator Allen concluded, “Taiwan must continue to be a
land of free people, and we must continue to build and nourish the ties between our country and the
people of Taiwan.”
“The United States war against Iraq not only demonstrates the United States’ determination in rooting
out terrorism worldwide; it also reaffirms the United States’ unwavering commitment to defending for
democracy and liberty worldwide. The United States should not compromise its long-term support for
the democratic ally in East Asia, Taiwan in exchange of Chinese support in the North Korean nuclear
crisis and the war against Iraq. That would be tantamount to the United States compromising its firm
beliefs in democracy and freedom, two of the fundamental principles this country was built upon.”
FAPA President Ming-chi Wu said.
Wu continued: “The United States, as the world leader of freedom and democracy, should endorse
the practice of democracy in Taiwan. Only people of Taiwan have the ultimate right to decide its own
future. That should be the bottom line of the U.S. policy toward Taiwan.”
