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Rep. Deutsch Statement on Upcoming Taiwanese Elections

Statement is a transcript of interview taped by a Miami Taiwanese-American Group

Hollywood, FL--"Hi, I'm Congressman Peter Deutsch. I've been in the United States Congress for 12 years. I was a founding member of the Taiwanese-American Caucus. I want to take this opportunity to speak to the people who are in Taiwan, right now, before the election. The vast majority of the United States Congress is very supportive of the actions of the Taiwanese Government in terms of putting a referendum on the ballot regarding the defense options that Taiwan has. Vast majority of the American people support the actions of the Taiwan Government as well. Taiwan is a close friend of the United States over decades. In fact, there is no closer friend in Asia, in that part of the world, to the people of the United States and to the United States Congress than the people of Taiwan. We have shown our commitment continuously towards the treaties that secure both Countries. This action will in fact increase that security for both countries.

“Well, I tell you. I appreciate the heroism, the ingenuity, the spirit of the people of Taiwan, but I do not get to vote in this election, in this upcoming election. I hope all Taiwanese citizens who are eligible vote in this election, I think it is very important that they exercise their right to vote. It is critical to show the world, literally, to show the entire world that this, the government of Taiwan, is in fact what it is - Which is a participatory, transparent democracy. And it is up to the people of Taiwan to determine what is in their best interest. Both referendum issues I think are very important, they will send a clear signal to the entire world that Taiwan is concerned about its independence and is willing to take further steps to ensure that independence working with the United States and other Countries.

“I know there are some people who have been critical about the referendum, trying to say that it is a confrontational issue. Taiwan is an independent country. As an independent country, it has the right to determine its own future. The United States has supported that right continuously. There is obviously some ambiguity in terms of some segments of the State Department that have been a little apprehensive. But almost unanimously, the people of the United States, through their Congress, have spoken about the reality on the ground and on the island of Taiwan. I urge the Taiwanese people to exercise their rights, to exercise their rights as a democracy, to choose their own future. The United States stands 100% behind them in the actions of determining their own future.”

Song-Yi Lee: “The DPP asked the people to come out to vote in the referendum, the KMT ask the people not to, I find this very peculiar.”

“Well I think as in all elections, sometimes rumors, innuendos, and scare tactics are used by political parties. And that is part of democracy. I think people have to see through it, and cut through it and understand what the truth is. There is an expression in American politics, probably the same in Taiwanese politics that, "What's the real deal?" The real deal is that the people of Taiwan have the ability to choose their future. Taiwan has been a functioning, competitive, transparent democracy. And as a part of that, as its own country, it has the right of over 130 countries on the planet Earth today, It has the right and obligation to defend itself, to secure itself. And obviously, in a very complex world, that is not easy. But Taiwan and the people of Taiwan, by the action of the referendum are solidifying that opportunity to choose their own future.

“I would tell you that the Taiwanese people have been a thoughtful, resourceful, and courageous people for literally hundreds of years at this point in time. And the election is just one more step in that continuous, glorious history. I am proud to be part of, in a very small way, that history as member of the United States Congress who has been supportive of the freedom of the people of Taiwan to choose their own destiny; whether it is independence, whether it is some type of confederation. But ultimately, the people of Taiwan that is their right to choose. And In fact, the United States government will do everything physically possible to make sure that choice is exercised.

“Let me be absolutely clear that I urge every eligible person on the island of the Taiwan to participate in the referendum and the election of the new leader, or the continuation of the leader on the island of Taiwan. It is your choice. You have had a glorious history in terms of transparent, participatory democracy. The worst thing that people can do is to waste their vote. Do not waste your vote by not participating in the election. The entire world is watching you. You have that right use it!”

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