Statement of Rep. Gary L. Ackerman

November 4, 2000

 Thank you for inviting me to address you today. I share the goal of this rally, to reduce the restrictions on high-level visits by officials of Taiwan to the United States.

I have long fought against these restrictions. In 1994, I led the fight in Congress to enact a law requiring the Administration to issue a visa to President Lee Teng-hui so that he could attend a reunion at his alma mater, Cornell University. I was pleased to welcome President Lee to the United States and to travel with him to Cornell. That law also makes it clear that any President of Taiwan is welcome in the United States at any time to discuss a host of important issues.

In a similar vein, I was prepared with many of my colleagues to receive President Chen during his stopover in Los Angeles this past summer. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed that the Administration would bow to pressure from the Peoples Republic of china, and force President Chen to cancel his meeting with us.

I believe it is important that Members of Congress have an opportunity to meet with leaders of governments from all over the world. After all, the Congress plays a crucial role in approving and funding the foreign policy of the United States. The cancellation of our meeting with President Chen in Los Angeles was an important opportunity lost to us.

There are significant issues we could have discussed with President Chen. Taiwan is our seventh largest trading partner and plays an important role in the economy of the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan routinely holds free and fair elections in a multiparty system. The most recent of these elections resulted in victory by President Chen. Just from these brief examples, it is clear that we share enormous economic and political interests with Taiwan. And, of course, there is the ever present threat of conflict between Taiwan and the PRC.

This year, I have co-sponsored, along with 40 of my colleagues, a resolution which calls on the Administration to reduce the restrictions on high-level visits by officials of Taiwan to the United States. It is long past time that we let the PRC know that who visits the United States is a matter for the United States to decide.

Thank you and I look forward to continuing to work with you to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.

Statement of Hon. Nita M. Lowey to the Taiwanese-American Community Rally

November 4, 2000

 I want to welcome members of the Taiwanese-American community and their supporters who have come here today. I am sorry I cannot be with you, and I thank the organizers, and especially Mr. Frank Su, for inviting me to participate in today’s event.

I am proud of the close relationship between the United States and Taiwan. We share a strong commitment to the ideals of democracy, freedom and human rights. And the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which formed the official basis for friendship and cooperation between the United States and Taiwan, continues to provide a strong foundation for the bond between our two countries. This relationship is enhanced by Taiwan’s position as the United States’ seventh largest trading partner, and our key national security interests in ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

I value the U.S.-Taiwan relationship very much. And that is why I am upset that there are still restrictions on high-level visits by Taiwanese officials to the United States. It is in the best interests of Congress, and of all the American people, to have open lines of communication between top U.S. and Taiwanese officials. This country stands for freedom of speech, and it is upsetting that we will cling to this outdated policy. I have joined forty of my colleagues in sponsoring legislation, H. Con. Res. 401 that states loud and clear that Members of Congress and Taiwanese officials should be allowed to meet, and that our policy of prohibiting these meetings on U.S. soil is outdated.

I also want to express how strongly I feel that the future of Taiwan must be decided peacefully and democratically with the express consent of the people of Taiwan. I want you to know that, as the current Congressional session comes to a close and the new one begins, I will remain a leading voice in Congress on behalf of the Taiwanese people’s right to self-determination. Thank you.