NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

822 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248

250 Broadway, Rm 2232, New York, NY 10007

March 17, 2004

George W. Bush

President of the United States

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

For a quarter century, the United States took the position that the People's Republic of China (PRC) did not govern 

China. Since the mid-seventies, our government has refused to acknowledge that the people of Taiwan govern themselves.

In 1987, the Taiwanese ended the martial law regime that the United States had backed. Taiwan today is a vibrant, 

progressive and successful democracy.

The Taiwanese are more aware than anyone of the perils they face if they antagonize the mainland government, which 

asserts the right to govern Taiwan. They have shown admirable restraint.

Taiwan is holding a referendum, as is common in many United States state and local governments and national governments

around the world. They are considering a specific referendum propositions. The first states 

that Taiwan Strait issues should be resolved by peaceful means, and that if the PRC does not withdraw missiles targeted at 

Taiwan and renounce the use of force against it, then Taiwan should strengthen its anti-missile weapons. The second states 

that the Taiwan Government should negotiate with the PRC to resolve cross-Strait issues. 

The Chinese government has angrily denounced this, apparently out of fear that some day 

the Taiwanese people might consider declaring that they are the government of their own country.

We are very concerned that the United States government has joined China in criticizing Taiwan for considering these propositions.

We do appreciate the statement by your administration that "we've got to make it clear to 

the Chinese that this is not a green light for you to contemplate the use of force or coercion against 

Taiwan."

Around the world, the United States has not hesitated to support the right to self-government of various peoples (starting in 

1776 with our own Revolution), and you have reaffirmed that commitment. It is certainly appropriate to seek to work prudently 

by negotiation and agreement, but it is also appropriate to acknowledge what is right.

You stated, referring to China, that "As our two nations work constructively across areas of common interest, we are candid 

about our disagreements." The United States should support the right of Taiwan, ultimately, to independent self-government, 

and this should be acknowledged by us as one of our "disagreements" with China. America should not be telling a free democratic 

people, who are and have long been our loyal friends, that they have no right to express their identity

and commitment to self-government. Taiwan deserves our support.

Very truly yours,

Assembly Members Richard N. Gottfried, Barry Grodenchik, Peter J. Abbate, Earlene Hooper, Michael Benjamin, John W. 

Lavelle, Ron Canestrari, J. Gary Pretlow, Vivian E. Cook, Frank r. Seddio, Patricia Eddington, David Sidikna, Michael J. 

Fitzpatrick, Robert A. Straniere, Diane Gordon, Robert K. Sweeney, Dov Hikind