Tracking Number: 392358
Title: "Taiwan President Can Participate in University Reunion."
The State Department has announced the Taiwanese President Li Teng-Hui will be allowed to enter the US so that he can attend an alumni reunion at Cornell University. (950522)
Date: 19950522
Text:
*EPF105
05/22/95
TAIWAN PRESIDENT CAN PARTICIPATE IN UNIVERSITY REUNION
(Text: State Department announcement on Li visit) (630)
Washington -- President Li Teng-Hui of Taiwan will be allowed to make a private visit to the United States next month to attend an alumni reunion at Cornell University, according to State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns.
Burns said May 22 that it would be a private visit and does not signal any change in the U.S. policy of maintaining only unofficial relations with Taiwan. Nor does it convey any change in U.S. relations with or policies toward the People's Republic of China, he said.
Burns said he did not know what type of visa would be issued to President Li. He said discussions were underway with Taiwanese authorities to work out the details of Li's itinerary, emphasizing that it would include "no events of an official nature."
"We have informed the Chinese government of this decision," the spokesman said. "There were talks over the weekend here in Washington between senior officials of our government and the Chinese ambassador and I believe we've also had some conversations in Beijing with the Chinese government."
The Li decision, he emphasized, "was a decision that was animated by the views of all the people who are responsible for China in this government" and is supported by the leadership of the State Department and other foreign affairs agencies.
"Any future requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis," Burns said. "We will be open to requests that pertain completely to the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan. We will, however, not approve visits which we feel are inconsistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan. And in discussing this, I'm not just talking about President Li but about possible visits by other members of the Taiwanese leadership," he said.
The following is the text of the announcement Burns read: (begin text) President Clinton has decided to permit Li Teng-Hui to make a private visit to the United States in June for the express purpose of participating in an alumni reunion event at Cornell University as a distinguished alumnus.
This action follows a revision of administration guidelines to permit occasional private visits by senior leaders of Taiwan, including President Li.
President Li will visit the U.S. in a strictly private capacity and will not undertake any official activities. It is important to reiterate that this is not an official visit. The granting of a visa in this case is consistent with U.S. policy of maintaining only unofficial relations with Taiwan.
It does not convey any change in our relations with or policies toward the People's Republic of China with which we maintain official relations and recognize as the sole legal government of China. We will continue to abide by the three communiques that form the basis of our relations with China. The United States also acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is a part of China.
Americans treasure the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of travel and believe others should enjoy these privileges as well. This sentiment clearly motivated the Congress in its recent actions to support overwhelmingly permitting Mr. Li to return to Cornell, his alma mater.
Secretary of State Christopher has indicated that our relationship with China and Taiwan will continue to be governed by the three joint communiques with the People's Republic of China and the Taiwan Relations Act. It is also Secretary Christopher's view that this decision to permit a private visit does not in any way reflect a change in the fundamental nature of U.S. relations with Taiwan. We continue to maintain unofficial economic and cultural relations with Taiwan.
(end text)
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File Identification: 05/22/95, EPF105
Product Name: Wireless File
Product Code: WF
Keywords: TAIWAN-US RELATIONS; LI TENG-HUI; INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Document
Type: TXT
Target Areas: EA
PDQ Text Link: 392358
USIA Notes: *95052202.EPF
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