Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises in strong support of H. Con. Res. 390. This Member would first like to express his sincere appreciation to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaffer] for introducing this resolution on September 6, 2000 and for working with this Member and staff on a limited number of modifications to the resolution as introduced. In addition, this Member would also like to thank the distinguished Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific [Mr. Lantos], the distinguished Chairman of the Committee on International Relations [Mr. Gilman] and the Committee's distinguished Ranking Member [Mr. Gejdenson], for supporting this resolution and moving it expeditiously forward to the House Floor for consideration.

House Concurrent Resolution 390 expresses this body's strong support for Taiwan's participation in the United Nations and other international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO). The resolution correctly notes that the 23 million people on Taiwan have much to contribute--both substantively and financially--to the work of international organizations. Clearly, the people on Taiwan should also benefit from the work of the international organizations as do all members of the world community.

In addition, H. Con. Res. 390 recognizes Taiwan's dramatic transformation into a multi-party democracy with a civil society which fully respects human rights and civil liberties. The resolution notes the most recent illustration of Taiwan's democratic development--the March 18, 2000, election of Mr. Chen Shui-bian as president and the peaceful transfer of power on Taiwan from one political party to another on May 20th with the inauguration of Mr. Chen.

Certainly, Taiwan's economic achievements in the last 50 years also give Taiwan a special role in assisting developing economies and contributing to international organizations focused on economic, trade and development matters. Taiwan is the world's 13th largest economy with over $235 billion in two-way trade. Indeed, Taiwan already is an active and constructive member of the Asia Development Bank and APEC and has been an observer at the World Trade Organization since 1992.

This year, on May 24, 2000, this body clearly and unequivocally spoke in favor of Taiwan's accession to the WTO as a full member by passing H.R. 4444. Given recent statements by representatives of the People's Republic of China, this Member wishes to reaffirm that legislation's commitment that the United States should be prepared to aggressively counter any attempt to delay, set conditions on, or block Taiwan's accession to the WTO. Our strong support for Taiwan's accession to the WTO is clear.

The resolution also calls on the Clinton Administration to uphold the commitment made in its 1994 Taiwan Policy Review to more actively support Taiwan's participation in appropriate international organizations.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this Member notes that this body has repeatedly passed measures that call for greater participation by Taiwan in international organizations, in particular supporting Taiwan's participation in the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization, among others. As Chairman of the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, this Member believes it is worthwhile for this body to reaffirm its support and commitment to Taiwan's participation in these important international organizations. Therefore, this Member strongly supports the passage of H. Con. Res. 390.