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23 March 2000

Text: Gilman on Taiwan President-elect Chen's Reconciliation Effort

(Committee chairman praises Taiwan's "democratic evolution") (820)
The Chairman of the House International Relations Committee praised
the people of Taiwan on a very successful election and for "taking
another step in consolidating their democratic evolution." U.S.
Representative Benjamin A. Gilman (Republican of New York) made his
remarks March 23 during full Committee consideration of House
Concurrent Resolution 292, which congratulates President-elect Chen
Shui-bian and Vice President-elect Annette Lu of Taiwan and reaffirms
U.S. policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.
The Committee passed this resolution by voice vote; it now goes to the
House floor.
"I want to commend the President-elect for his proposal of embarking
on a journey of reconciliation with China and the his offer to meet
with China's leaders," Gilman said. "Talks should only go forward at a
pace and scope acceptable to the parties on both sides of the Strait."
Gilman urged the People's Republic of China "to avoid fanning the
flames of nationalism over Taiwan in an effort to divert attention
from internal problems in China; to open dialogue with Taipei; and to
end its military threats toward the island."
The Committee also passed by voice vote House Resolution 3707, which
authorizes funds for the site selection and construction of a facility
in Taipei, Taiwan, suitable for the mission of the American Institute
in Taiwan.
Following is the text of the committee press release:
(begin text)
HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE
March 23, 2000
GILMAN PRAISES CHEN'S RECONCILIATION EFFORT
WASHINGTON (March 23) - U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY),
Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, made the
following Statement today during Full Committee consideration of H.
Con. Res. 292, a resolution congratulating President-elect Chen
Shui-bian and Vice President-elect Annette Lu of Taiwan and
reaffirming U.S. policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic of
China:
I am pleased to bring this measure before the Committee today for
consideration and I want to thank the Majority Leader, Mr. Armey of
Texas, for introducing this timely resolution.
I also would like to express my appreciation to the Chairman of the
Asia-Pacific Subcommittee, Mr. Bereuter, for expeditiously considering
the resolution in subcommittee yesterday.
I want to congratulate the people of Taiwan on a very successful
election and for taking another step in consolidating their democratic
evolution. They should be very proud of their democracy, registering
an 80% voter turnout.
On May 20th, for the first time in Taiwan's history, the mantle of
power will pass from one democratically-elected president to another.
This peaceful transfer of power will take place despite the
provocative attempts by the government in Beijing to intimidate
Taiwan's voters and influence the outcome of the election.
The new government of Chen Shui-Bian faces many challenges as it
ascends to office. I want to commend the President-elect for his
proposal of embarking on a journey of reconciliation with China and
the his offer to meet with China's leaders. Talks should only go
forward at a pace and scope acceptable to the parties on both sides of
the Strait.
I want to encourage the PRC to exercise restraint; to avoid fanning
the flames of nationalism over Taiwan in an effort to divert attention
from internal problems in China; to open dialogue with Taipei; and to
end its military threats toward the island.
As has been long-standing American policy, it is essential that the
future of Taiwan be determined in a peaceful and mutually-agreeable
manner to the people on both sides of the Strait.
Let me close by saying that I hope the world will take appropriate
notice of what has just transpired in Taiwan. That is that another
Asian nation has fully embraced democratic practices and principles.
This further proves that democracy is not eastern or western value --
as some might contend -- but a universal value and the right of people
everywhere.
I especially hope that the 1.2 billion people of the PRC and their
unelected government take particular notice of the model Taiwan
provides for China's future. I call upon the Administration to work
productively with the new government and treat Mr. Chen as an equal
partner in addressing cross-Strait issues. Lastly, I would like to be
added to the list of co-sponsors of this important resolution and I
look forward to bringing it to the floor for consideration at an early
date.
The resolution, H. Con. Res. 292, passed the Committee by voice vote
as amended and now goes to the House floor. In addition, the Committee
passed by voice vote H.R. 3707 as amended, authorizing funds for the
site selection and construction of a facility in Taipei, Taiwan,
suitable for the mission of the American Institute in Taiwan.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)