Rep. Howard L. Berman

Remarks on the Democratic Referenda in Taiwan

March 16, 2004

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an important and timely issue:  the right of the people of Taiwan to hold a democratic referendum. Only twenty years ago, Taiwan was ruled by an authoritarian  dictatorship under martial law.  Today, it is a flourishing, multiparty democracy that holds competitive elections, respects human rights and upholds the rule of law.

It is also our close friend and ally.

On March 20, Taiwan will hold its third Presidential election.  That same day, the Taiwanese people will vote on two referenda related to Taiwan's self-defense.

Some argue the U.S. should oppose these votes because they will needlessly antagonize China.  I disagree. 

While it is important for the U.S. to have China's cooperation on a number of issues, our foreign policy should not be based on trying to avoid making China angry ??that would be tantamount to giving them veto power over our actions.

Rather, our policy should be guided by U.S. national interests, which undeniably include the promotion and support of democracy in every corner of the globe. 

What kind of message would it send to those courageous individuals struggling for democracy in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and other parts of the world if we tell the people of Taiwan that they should refrain from exercising their hard-won right to cast a ballot on key issues of the day?

With all due respect to China, this is not about Taiwanese independence.  This is not a "provocation."  This is about the peaceful exercise of the purest form of democracy.

I strongly support Taiwan's right to hold these referenda, free from intimidation, and I urge all my colleagues to do the same.