TAIWAN -- HON. CHRIS BELL (Extensions of Remarks - February 04, 2004)

HON. CHRIS BELL OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, February 4, 2004

* Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support of efforts by the Taiwanese President and people to facilitate a peaceful, stable, and democratic environment in East Asia. Despite continued aggression by the People's Republic of China, Taiwan has maintained grace and sensibility. For this, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of President Chen Shui-bian and the Taiwanese people.

* On March 20, 2004, the Taiwanese people will vote on a referendum for peace, which will consist of two questions. One is:

* Would you agree that our Government should engage in negotiations with Mainland China on the establishment of a ``peace and stability'' framework for cross-strait interactions in order to build consensus and for the welfare of the people on both sides?

*  This would be the first official communication between Taiwan and China since 1949, a historic attempt at conciliation between two sparring nations. I would remind my colleagues of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, in which we put forth the expectation that ``the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means'' and state that ``any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means ..... is of grave concern to the United States.'' As Taiwan makes a sincere effort to improve relations with Mainland China and support a peaceful continuation of the status quo, we must applaud and support them.

* The other referendum question is:

* The people of Taiwan demand that the Taiwan Strait issue be resolved through peaceful means. Should Mainland China refuse to withdraw the missiles it has targeted at Taiwan and to openly renounce the use of force against us, would you agree that the Government should acquire more advanced anti-missile weapons to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense capabilities?

* This referendum is neither provocative nor a move toward Taiwanese independence. It constitutes an effort to prevent Mainland China from using force and unilaterally changing the status quo. China has never renounced the use of force in the Taiwan Straits and has 496 missiles targeting Taiwan . I urge China to withdraw those missiles, which upset the military balance in the Taiwan Straits and whose continued presence demonstrates China's hostile approach to cross-straits relations.

* Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: ``Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.'' Taiwan has the right to voice its concerns and to protect itself from harm. A nonviolent resolution of the Taiwan Straits issue is Taiwan's ultimate goal. This peace referendum is the first step in that process and the right of the Taiwanese people.

* In the Taiwan Relations Act, we reaffirmed our nation's commitment to ``the preservation of human rights of the Taiwanese people.'' Now is the time to stand behind that statement. For President Chen Shui-bian's work to create a stable, peaceful, and democratic environment in the region, he deserves our recognition and support.