FAPA member Norman H. Chen had the following letter published in the Houston Chronicle of August 21, 2000

Let Taiwan Leaders Talk

          The State Department's refusal to allow a group from Congress to meet with Taiwan's democratically elected President Chen Shui-bian during his visit to this country last week was an affront to all I hold dear as U.S. citizen. (Aug 14 Chronicle, "Taiwan president to stop over in US on tour, but won't meet with members of Congress")

          Most Taiwanese Americans came to this country in the '60s, leaving behind a land where political dissent was fiercely muzzled and democracy activists were jailed for their beliefs.

          Here, we found freedoms we cherish deeply. Many of us worked hard to see these same freedoms flourish in Taiwan, and, thankfully, they are now rooted in the island's political soil. However, this is not true for China.

          In China, democracy's tender shoots are constantly trampled. Yet the State Department listened to China's objections to President Chen meeting the Democratic and Republican Representatives who wanted to share ideas with him during his first trip to this country.

          Through many years of sweat, blood and political struggle, the 23 million people of Taiwan have built a mature democracy. Surely Taiwan's president should have the right to speak freely about the accomplishments his country has made and its plans to support U.S. interests in Asia. The American public and their representatives also have the right to hear him out.

          It is time to allow high-level Taiwanese officials -- including the president -- to openly visit the United States and to speak to all who wish to listen. It is time we stood up for the rights and principles of this proud nation and dared to say no to bellicose China's bullying of Taiwan.