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US CONGRESSWOMAN CRITICIZES BUSH REFERENDUM REMARKS

2003-12-11 23:39:26

    Washington, Dec. 11 (CNA) Representative Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader at the U, S. House of Representatives criticized President George Bush Thursday for opposing a possible referendum in Taiwan on demanding removal of Chinese missiles pointed at Taiwan.

    In a written statement, Pelosi said "By rebuking President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan for advocating the most basic of democratic values -- the right of a free people to express their views by voting -- President Bush badly damaged the tradition of the United States of standing with those who want democracy and freedom."

    She said the president is correct to woo China into playing a responsible role in world affairs. But, unfortunately, she said, the U.S. government has looked the other way when China has not done so over the years, on issues such as human rights, international trade, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction technologies.

    The congresswoman said, the United States must not offer China's cooperation on North Korea as an excuse to abandon U.S. commitment to democracy throughout the world, including in Taiwan. "I urge the President to consider carefully the effect of his words on the example the United States sets for the world and to make a new statement that is consistent with American values," Pelosi said in her statement.

(By Jay Chen & Maubo Chang)

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