GILMAN PRAISES CHEN'S RECONCILIATION EFFORT
 
  WASHINGTON (March 23) - U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, made the following statement today during Full Committee consideration of H. Con.  Res. 292, a resolution congratulating President-elect Chen Shui-bian and Vice President-elect Annette Lu of Taiwan and reaffirming U.S. policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic of China:
 
  I am pleased to bring this measure before the Committee today for consideration and I want to thank the Majority Leader, Mr. Armey of Texas, for introducing this timely resolution.
 
  I also would like to express my appreciation to the Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Subcommittee, Mr. Bereuter, for expeditiously considering the resolution in subcommittee yesterday.
 
  I want to congratulate the people of Taiwan on a very successful election and  for taking another step in consolidating their democratic evolution.  They should be very proud of their democracy, registering an 80% voter turnout.
 
  On May 20th, for the first time in Taiwan's history, the mantle of power will pass from one democratically-elected president to another. This peaceful transfer of power will take place despite the  provocative attempts by the government in Beijing to intimidate Taiwan's voters and influence the outcome of the election.
 
  The new government of Chen Shui-Bian faces many challenges as it ascends to office.  I want to commend the President-elect for his proposal of embarking on a journey of reconciliation with China and his offer to meet with China's leaders.  Talks should only go forward at a pace and scope acceptable to the parties on both sides of the Strait.
 
  I want to encourage the PRC to exercise restraint; to avoid fanning the flames of nationalism over Taiwan in an effort to divert attention from internal problems in China; to open dialogue with Taipei; and to end its military threats toward the island.
 
  As has been long-standing American policy, it is essential that the future of Taiwan be determined in a peaceful and mutually-agreeable manner to the people on both sides of the Strait.
 
  Let me close by saying that I hope the world will take appropriate notice of what has just transpired in Taiwan.  That is that another Asian nation has fully embraced democratic practices and principles.  This
 further proves that democracy is not eastern or western value -- as some might contend -- but a universal value and the right of people everywhere.

  I especially hope that the 1.2 billion people of the PRC and their unelected government take particular notice of the model Taiwan provides for China's future.  I call upon the Administration to work productively with the new government and treat Mr. Chen as an equal partner in addressing cross-Strait issues.
 
  Lastly, I would like to be added to the list of co-sponsors of this important resolution and I look forward to bringing it to the floor for consideration at an early date.
 
  The resolution, H. Con. Res. 292, passed the Committee by voice vote as amended and now goes to the House floor.  In addition, the Committee passed by voice vote H.R. 3707 as amended, authorizing funds for the site selection and construction of a facility in Taipei, Taiwan, suitable for the mission of the American Institute in Taiwan.
 
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