March 19, 2008

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
U. S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Madame Secretary,

On March 22 Taiwan will hold a referendum on whether to join the United Nations under the name "Taiwan." We strongly urge the United States to support the referendum.

Several senior Department of State officials have been quoted in the media calling the referendum a "mistake" and "provocative."  Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in December that the People's Republic of China values U.S. opposition to the referendum.

The Taiwanese people have the right, as all people do, to self determination.  However, the ability to exercise that right is severely compromised when a nation's largest ally turns its back.  For too long Taiwan has stood its ground as a bulwark of democracy against the encroaching aspirations of an authoritarian communist regime.  We should not condemn or oppose the dreams of those who want only to remain free and take their place in the international community.

Thank you for your time and I hope that you will support democracy in Taiwan by SUPPORTING the Taiwanese people on the eve of their referendum.

Sincerely,

Robert Andrews
Member of Congress

Thaddeus McCotter
Member of Congress

John Linder
Member of Congress

Scott Garrett
Member of Congress