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Congress
of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
SUPPORT
TAIWAN’s DEFENSE
VOTE FOR H.R. 1838
“THE TAIWAN SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT”
January
28, 2000
Dear
Colleague:
As you
may know, H.R.1838, the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act,
is scheduled for floor consideration on Tuesday, February
1st. As cosponsors of this important legislation, we are
contacting you to urge your support.
According
to a Pentagon report submitted to Congress earlier this
year, China is currently engaged in a major buildup of ballistic
missiles on its coast, directly across the strait from Taiwan.
Beijing is simultaneously increasing pressure on the U.S.
to limit or crease our sales to Taiwan of defensive weaponry.
Both of these factors represent a substantial threat to
the balance of power, and therefore the stability of the
area.
We strongly
believe that the United States must remain steadfast in
our commitment to fulfilling our obligations under the Taiwan
Relations Act - in which the U.S. promised to provide Taiwan
with the means to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability
as the key method of maintaining a balance of power in the
region.
This
bill is a necessary, bi-partisan approach to fulfilling
our promise to Taiwan. It would increase Taiwan’s defensive
capabilities, while at the same time redressing any remaining
deficiencies through established, direct communications
between our militaries. This bill would reiterate the fundamental
truth of democracy - that any determination of the ultimate
status of Taiwan must have the express consent of the people
of Taiwan. And finally, the bill would require the President
to submit an annual report to Congress on Taiwan’s defense
needs.
We urge
you to join us in supporting a bill that was passed overwhelmingly
by the House International Relations Committee and currently
has 82 cosponsors. If you have questions, please contact
our staff directly - Howard Hechler at 5-7931 or Matt Walker
at 5-6501.
Sincerely
yours,
Peter
Deutsch Robert Andrews
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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