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December
4, 2003
The
Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary,
United States Department of State
2201
C Street, N.W.
Washington,
DC 20520
Dear
Secretary Powell:
I
respectfully urge the U.S. State Department not to make any
statements in opposition to a referendum in Taiwan on proposed
judicial, legislative or Constitutional changes.
Such a statement could seriously damage the longtime
friendship between the United States and Taiwan.
In
1982, the United States accepted the Six Assurances offered by the
government of Taiwan. One of those assurances was that “the United States would
not alter its position about the sovereignty of Taiwan which was,
that the question was one to be decided peacefully by the Chinese
themselves, and would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations
with China.” 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.
Taiwan
referendum law is a basic democratic right that should be supported
by the United States. The future of Taiwan must be determined peacefully, with the
express consent of people of Taiwan.
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.
Thank
you for your time and attention to this very important matter.
Taiwan is a longtime friend and ally of the United States in
foreign relations and in the War against Terror.
It is crucial that the United States’ commitment to Taiwan
not be altered in any way. 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.
Sincerely,
George
Allen |
