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Issues of Concern • [.pdf]
1. United Nations & World Health Organization (WHO) Participation
Health should not be used as a political weapon. Taiwan’s diplomatic isolation—due to Chinese pressure—has prevented Taiwan from receiving any direct assistance from the WHO during the height of SARS and bird flu outbreaks in Taiwan. A secret memorandum the WHO signed with China in 2005 limits participation by Taiwan, if any participation at all. U.S. current policy in supporting Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” is rendered meaningless because of this memorandum. Since 1997, both Houses passed legislation supporting Taiwan’s WHO bid. On November 8, 2007, HCR 250, endorsing Taiwan’s United Nations membership, was introduced. To co-sponsor, contact Rachel Houston at (202) 225-4465. We also urge you to issue extensions of remarks supporting Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization.
2. Senate Confirmation for the AIT Director
The Taiwan Strait is one of the flash points in the world. It is in the interest of the US that Congress thoroughly examines the viewpoints and the skills of the American Institute in Taiwan Director (after all, the de facto American ambassador to Taiwan) before being sent to Taiwan. Why are we putting more scrutiny on ambassadors to some tourist island-nations such as Barbados than on the ambassador to Taiwan? On March 7, 2007, Rep. Tancredo introduced HR 1390 requiring Senate confirmation of the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan. To co-sponsor, contact Mac Zimmerman at (202) 225-7882.
3. Hi-Level Visits
Currently, Taiwan’s President, Vice President and other cabinet members cannot freely visit this country, and they cannot step on the soil within 30 miles of the nation’s capital. We ask that the U.S. lift ALL restrictions on high-level visits from Taiwan. These self-imposed U.S. restrictions are due to the fear of Chinese retaliation if such visits were allowed. Forbidding the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan to visit the U.S. contradicts our principles and belief in freedom and democracy. We should not let the Beijing government determine this part of our foreign policy. In July 2007, HCR 136 was passed unanimously. In October 2007, SCR 48 was introduced by Senator Johnson. To co-sponsor SCR 48, contact Krista Lamoreaux at (202) 224-5842.
4. Universal Principle of Self-Determination
Taiwan today is a democracy. Any important issue, such as the future of Taiwan, should be determined by the people of Taiwan through a democratic mechanism, such as a referendum. U.S. current policy is that any resolution of cross-Taiwan Strait relations must be 1. peaceful and 2. have the express consent of the people of Taiwan. We ask that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine Taiwan’s future.
5. Safety and Security
China has over a thousand ballistic missiles targeted at Taiwan today. They not only threaten Taiwan but also seriously damage the stability in the region. The missiles hold the 23 million people of Taiwan at gunpoint and pose psychological terror. The Cuban missile crisis in the 1960s held the American people hostage for 13 days. Yet, every day the people of Taiwan live under this Chinese military threat. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act commits the U.S. to Taiwan’s security. We support the sale of advanced weapons and advocate the need for the highest level of military exchange between Taiwan and the U.S. In October 2007, HCR 676, introduced by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, was passed unanimously.
6. Outdated One China Policy
The 1972 U.S.-China Shanghai Communiqué stated: “The U.S. acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is part of China.” At the time, both the Communist government in Beijing and Chiang Kai-shek’s government in Taiwan agreed to this wording. Much has changed over the past 30 years in both countries. Taiwan no longer claims sovereignty over China. Today, with Taiwan being a democratic, human rights respecting nation, it is time to rethink this formula. Over the years, the policy has become a mantra to appease China. A policy more clearly reflecting today’s reality is a “One China, One Taiwan” policy.
7. US-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement
Taiwan is currently the U.S.’ 8th largest trading partner and the 5th largest destination for U.S. agricultural products. U.S.-Taiwan trade totals $60 billion. The International Trade Commission concluded that an FTA with Taiwan eliminating tariffs and non-tariffs barriers on U.S. trade with Taiwan could increase U.S. exports and yield benefits to service exports. In May 2007, HCR 137 was introduced by Rep. Berkley. To co-sponsor, contact Jeremy Kadden at (202) 225-5965. SCR 60 was introduced by Senator Baucus. To co-sponsor, contact Russ Sullivan at (202) 224-2651.
8. Congressional Taiwan Caucus
The Congressional Taiwan Caucus (CTC) was established in April 2002. Today it has 151 members. The Senate Taiwan Caucus (STC) has 26 members. To join the CTC, contact Jonathan Katz at (202) 225-3001. To join the STC, contact Krista Lamoreaux at (202) 224-5842.
To identify current Caucus members, view the list of Congressional Taiwan Caucus Members 2008 [.pdf]. To assess your representative’s stance, view the 110th Congressional Record on Taiwan.
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