[Page: S5973]
Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, we have heard a good deal of discussion this morning about the issue of most-favored-nation status. I rise this morning to extend my feelings about the necessity of extending most-favored-nation status to China.
Other speakers this morning have addressed the issue of linkage between human rights and trade. Obviously, we all want to see human rights advancements take place as quickly as possible. But the U.S. mentality is for a quick fix. We want to see the problem resolved and see it behind us. From the standpoint of the Chinese, however, they feel they are making progress. The Chinese are making progress, but not as quickly as the Americans would prefer.
Nevertheless, the question is extending most-favored-nation status or terminating it. You bring about change through trade and commerce. MFN is the vehicle which gives us an opportunity to influence the Chinese, and therefore, bring about change.
I think it is rather interesting to reflect on some of the dialog that has taken place over the last several months concerning most-favored-nation status, statements by some of our colleagues, as well as our President, concerning the adequacy of human rights advancements. I have detected some inconsistencies in these statements as compared to speeches by these same people 1 year ago. I don't think the Chinese have changed over this time period, but the attitude of the administration and many of my colleagues has changed as they have come to realize the consequences of their actions. We are faced with the harsh reality of where we will be if we do not extend MFN to China.
The Senator from Alaska feels very strongly that the concept of encouraging advancements, at the same time extending the channels through which trade and commerce can take place, will ultimately bring about a greater sensitivity toward human rights in China.
This morning I want to also talk about the one-China-and-two-systems policy of the United States--the two systems being Hong Kong and Taiwan. I think that Taiwan and Hong Kong should be an integral part of our Asian policy.
Tomorrow is the fourth anniversary of President Lee Teng-hui's presidency. President Lee, as all my colleagues are aware, is the freely elected leader of the Republic of China on Taiwan. I would like to commend President Lee for his leadership. Taiwan is a stable, prosperous, democratic country. It is a model for the emerging democracies. In recognition of these accomplishments, President Lee received a letter from over 70 Senators congratulating him. That letter is certainly evidence of this Chamber's good will toward the people of Taiwan.
Yesterday, as a further gesture of good will, Senator Brown and I sent President Lee an individual letter asking him to consider visiting the United States, specifically the States of Alaska and Colorado.
I ask unanimous consent that the letter be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC, May 17, 1994.
Hon. Lee Teng-hui,
President, Republic of China on Taiwan, c/o Mou Shih Ding, Representative, CCNAA.
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Dear President Lee: The Republic of China on Taiwan, under your leadership, has become a leader in the industrialized world with a dynamic and growing economy and a prosperous and free people. As Senators from states with a strong focus on the Pacific Rim, we see tremendous opportunities to expand and strengthen ties between the people of the United States and the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan. We are firmly in favor of preserving and promoting extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural and other relations between the United States and Taiwan.
For that reason, we would like to formally invite you to come to the United States to see for yourself the strong sentiments and support for the Republic of China on Taiwan. Specifically, we would like to invite you as our guest to visit our home states--Alaska and Colorado. We would also be honored if you could be our guest in Washington, D.C.
Thank you for your consideration of our invitation.
Sincerely,
HANK BROWN,
U.S. Senator.
FRANK H. MURKOWSKI,
U.S. Senator.
Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print in the Record a letter to President Clinton, dated May 17, 1994, from Senator Brown and me regarding our invitation to President Lee.
There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC, May 17, 1994.
Hon. William J. Clinton,
The President,
The White House.
Dear Mr. President: On April 30, 1994, you signed into law the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Section 508 of that Act urges you to `take steps to show clear United States support for Taiwan ***.' This expression of congressional intent is consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act which sets forth the policy of the United States `to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan ***.' 22 U.S.C. 3301.
Despite this expression of congressional intent, we were embarrassed to learn that the Department of State refused the request of the Honorable Lee Teng-hui, the freely elected leader of the democratic Republic of China on Taiwan, to overnight in Hawaii enroute to Costa Rica. We believe this decision was ill advised. We were particularly dismayed to hear that this decision was made to appease the PRC's Ambassador who had protested the presence of President Lee on American soil.
Mr. President, we believe that our country should be doing everything it can to promote close and friendly ties with the Republic of China on Taiwan--a democratic country that is extremely important to our economic and security interests in East Asia. For that reason, we have attached a letter that we have sent to the Honorable Lee Teng-hui inviting him to visit our home states of Alaska and Colorado, and to be our guest in Washington. We think that such a visit by Mr. Lee can go a long way to repair the damage done by the recent snubbing at the hands of the State Department, and to promote extensive, close, and friendly relations with the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Sincerely,
FRANK MURKOWSKI,
U.S. Senator.
HANK BROWN,
U.S. Senator.
Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, we think such a visit by President Lee will help preserve and promote close and friendly ties between the United States and Taiwan. We believe that such increased ties can be made without harming relations with the People's Republic of China.
While Congress is intent on improved relations with Taiwan, to some extent, our administration stays rooted in history. Fifteen years have passed since Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act. Yet, our actions towards Taiwan have not moved forward during that time to any great degree.
Few of my colleagues know that 2 weeks ago the State Department--after protests of the ambassador of the People's Republic of China--refused to let President Lee's plane stay overnight in Hawaii en route to Costa Rica. The base commander was not even allowed to come out and greet the President.
RESTRICTIVE POLICY ON VISITS
The State Department's explanation is that it is a sensitive issue because of the lack of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of China. But within 1 month of President Lee's visit, we have seen several individuals who have no official relations with the United States Government hold meetings in Washington: The Dalai Lama of Tibet's Government-in-exile; Yasser Arafat of the PLO; Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein; Mrs. Anson Chan of Hong Kong's government.
NO HIGH-LEVEL VISITS
We have had no high-level visits to Taiwan since USTR Carla Hills went in 1991. But France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other allies send high-level officials to Taiwan frequently, while still maintaining normal relations with Beijing.
REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES HAVE CODE NAMES
We have unbelievable procedures for identifying offices for Taiwan. The offices have code names. The CCNAA--Coordinating Council for North American Affairs--is the name of the Republic of China's office here. The name has no identification with Taiwan. In Taiwan, we have the American Institute of Taiwan. At least our office is identified with America.
VISA STAMPS
If you want a visa to come to the United States, it bears a Hong Kong stamp. That is what our representative office, AIT, issues. What happens in 1997? The State Department has not addressed that issue yet--but it must.
PASSPORT PLACE OF BIRTH
Taiwanese with United States passports are not allowed to record Taiwan as their place of birth on the United States passport. We hope that recently passed legislation will solve this inconsistency.
The list goes on and on, but time is short so I will stop here.
The point is that this is simply a crazy way to treat a friend and ally. The administration and Congress should work together to make positive changes.
Mr. President, I am convinced that these changes should be made as part of an overall policy approach to Asia that stresses greater balance in our relationship not only toward Taiwan but toward China as well. But I will save that speech for another day, some time closer to June 3.
I wish the President pro tempore a good day.
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Connecticut [Mr. Lieberman], is recognized for not to exceed 5 minutes.
Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I thank the Chair.
END
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