22 March 2000
Text: Senator Murkowski Calls Chen Election a Victory for Democracy
(Alaska Senator Mar. 22 on Taiwan elections and China PNTR) (1050) The election of Chen Shui-bian as president of Taiwan, says Senator Frank Murkowski, is a victory for democracy "not simply in Taiwan, but throughout the world." Sen. Frank Murkowski (Republican of Alaska) hailed the election as demonstrating that "the principles of democracy and freedom are universal, and are not, as some Asian leaders have suggested in the past, incompatible with so-called Asian values." Murkowski, a member of the International Trade Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee, said in a March 22 prepared statement that he hoped Chen's election would in time lead to reduced tensions between Taiwan and Mainland China and increased support in the U.S. Congress for granting permanent Normal Trading Relations (NTR) status to China. While saying he looked forward to reduced tensions between Beijing and Taipei, the Alaskan Republican chided Beijing for its "lack of understanding of modern Taiwanese and of the psychology of democratic voters in general." Saying he supported "measures to maintain Taiwan's security in the face of threatening words and actions by the Mainland," Murkowski added that "an effective trade relationship is an important factor in reducing threatening behavior." Murkowski said he hoped other members of Congress would "duly take note" of Chen's call for China's accession to the World Trade Organization and support for the Congress granting permanent NTR status to China. Following is the text of Murkowski's statement: (begin text) MURKOWSKI WELCOMES NEW TAIWAN PRESIDENT; ENCOURAGES TRANSPORTATION LINKS, TRADE BETWEEN PRC-TAIWAN WASHINGTON -- Alaska Sen. Frank Murkowski today welcomed the election of Taiwan's new President Chen Shui-bian, expressing the hope that it will lead to reduced tensions, greater direct links between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China and increased support in Congress for the granting of permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status to China. Murkowski, former ranking member of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and now a member of the International Trade Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee, said that as a strong supporter of Taiwan's security, he still supports granting PNTR for China. "An effective trade relationship is an important factor in reducing threatening behavior," said Murkowski. The text of his prepared remarks follow: "The election of Chen Shui-bian is a victory for democracy not simply in Taiwan, but throughout the world. It proves that the principles of democracy and freedom are universal and are not, as some Asian leaders have suggested in the past, incompatible with so-called Asian values. "The election also proves how little the mainland Chinese leaders understand about the political maturity of the people of Taiwan. By trying to intimidate the Taiwanese people, by issuing threats of "bloodshed" if Chen was elected, Beijing demonstrated its lack of understanding of modem Taiwanese and of the psychology of democratic voters in general. People do not vote their fears, they vote their hope and aspirations. I commend the Taiwanese people for voting their convictions. "I recognize that Mr. Chen faces significant challenges in his transition to the Presidency. If Taiwan is able to manage the transition peacefully and with full cooperation of all parties involved, the triumph of democracy in Taiwan will truly stand as a model for the world. Mr. Chen will no doubt be seized with domestic political challenges in the months and years ahead. In confronting these challenges, I hope that he is not so encumbered that he is unable to seize the tremendous opportunities his election represents." Murkowski: Comments on Taiwan Election March 22, 2000 "In the past days, as the world watched, with some trepidation, Mr. Chen has approached the tense situation across the Taiwan Straits with courage, resolve and great statesmanship. I applaud his offer of olive branches to those in Beijing who only last week threatened bloodshed if he were elected. I am impressed with his graciousness. With respect to the matter of whether or not the principle of one China should be a pre-condition for negotiation. I would urge he and the leadership in Beijing to put aside matters of form in renewing cross-straits dialogue. Such matters are important, but they should not obscure the many areas in which Taiwan and the Mainland have and can find new common ground. "For Mr. Chen not only has the opportunity to reverse the deteriorating course of relations between the two sides, he and the leadership in Beijing also bear the great responsibility to help re-stabilize a situation which affects all peoples of the Pacific Rim. The United States stands ready to help preserve stability in the Pacific, but much of the burden lies with the leadership in both Beijing and Taipei. Dialogue between the two sides is in the best interests of all, the United States included. "I want to address two issues which have come up in Taiwan in recent days, in both of which I find reason for optimism. The first is with respect to the possibility of direct links between the Mainland and Taiwan via Jinmen or Matsu. This, I believe, would be of enormous importance, and I hope such links can be effected. "The second is with respect to Mr. Chen's s announcement yesterday of his support for China's entry into the WTO and for passage of Permanent Normal Trade Relations for China by the United States Congress. There are those in Congress who would link matters of trade with matters of security for Taiwan. Both are important issues in their own right, but Mr. Chen's support for PNTR unrelated to Taiwan's security sends an important message. I support measures to maintain Taiwan's security in the face of threatening words and actions by the Mainland. I also believe, however, that an effective trade relationship is an important factor in reducing threatening behavior. I welcome his support for this principle and hope my fellow members of Congress duly take note. I hope to be able to travel to Taiwan in the not-too distant future and would welcome the chance to see Mr. Chen again in his new role," said Murkowski. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State - www.usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
