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DATE=3/28/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-TAIWAN (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260709
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  The U-S House of Representatives has passed 
(418-1) a formal resolution congratulating the people 
of Taiwan on their recent election of President Chen 
Shui-bian (Schway-bien).   V-O-A's Paula Wolfson 
reports the measure also sends a message to Beijing.
TEXT:  House Republican leader Dick Armey personally 
called on members to support the resolution.  
            /// ARMEY ACT ///
      The House today is commemorating a very special 
      event - the first democratic election leading to 
      a transfer of power in the 5000-year history of 
      the Chinese people.
            /// END ACT ///
The resolution is carefully worded.  It praises the 
people of Taiwan for the conduct of the election and 
their continuing efforts to build a free economy.   
The measure also offers a bit of advice to Beijing.
Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown put it this way:
            /// BROWN ACT ///
      The race was more than a race between and among 
      candidates.  It was a race between the people of 
      Taiwan and the Beijing leadership.  Despite 
      Beijing's protests and even its threats, this 
      election signified the long-standing commitment 
      of Taiwan to democratic ideals.
            /// END ACT ///
The resolution calls on the People's Republic of China 
to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, and move 
toward dialogue with Taipei.  Nebraska Republican Doug 
Bereuter - Chairman of the House East Asia 
Subcommittee - said Beijing's response to the election 
results is somewhat encouraging.
            /// BEREUTER ACT ///
      Since the election in Taiwan, Beijing has 
      curtailed to a certain degree its aggressive and 
      unhelpful rhetoric and appears again - to a 
      certain degree - to be extending the offer for a 
      renewed dialogue.
            /// END ACT ///
Earlier, the House voted to set aside 75 million 
dollars to construct a new facility for the American 
Institute in Taipei.  The institute engages in 
diplomacy with Taiwan on behalf of the United States. 
(Signed)
NEB/PW/TVM/PT
28-Mar-2000 18:46 PM EDT (28-Mar-2000 2346 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.