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BUSH URGED TO RECONSIDER POSITION ON TAIWAN REFERENDUM

2003-12-13 12:57:34

    Washington, Dec. 12 (CNA) The leaders of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus have urged President Bush to reconsider his opposition to a referendum in Taiwan that would allow its citizens to voice their opposition to mainland China's military threat to their country.

    During his public briefing with mainland Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao this week, President Bush warned Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, to resist making any unilateral moves toward independence, including holding a defensive referendum on missiles and other military threats by the People's Republic of China toward Taiwan.

    In a letter sent to the president, Reps. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Dana Rohrbacher (R-Calif.) and Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) wrote that "the mounting threats and hostile actions taken by the PRC toward Taiwan underscore the volatility of the situation on both sides of the Taiwan Strait." "The continued build-up of missiles and military exercises on China's southeast coast remind us that democratic Taiwan and its people face a constant and imminent threat from an authoritarian regime," they wrote.

    The members said the administration's action signaled a victory for the People's Republic of China at the expense of Taiwan's democratic reforms. "The Bush administration's vocal opposition to any referendum in Taiwan would be seen as a great victory for mainland China and a defeat for Taiwan's democratic reforms. It may seem like splitting hairs, but the language is important to our long-term interests in that region, " said Brown, a co-founder of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.

    The Congressional Taiwan Caucus, which includes more than 120 members of Congress, has also led efforts to formalize support for Taiwan's efforts to gain recognition by international bodies, including the World Health Assembly and the United Nations. The text of the letter follows: Dear President Bush:

    We urge your administration to cease its opposition to a democratic referendum in Taiwan on the issue of China's ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan.

    The defensive referendum as proposed by President Chen Shui-bian does not alter the status quo of cross-strait relations by seeking a declaration on independence. Rather, it is intended to express the immediate and legitimate concerns of the Taiwanese on the peace and security of the region.

    The people of Taiwan are particularly worried, and rightfully so, about the increasing missile deployment across the Taiwan Strait by the People's Republic of China (PRC) . Just recently, President Chen indicated that 496 missiles have been placed on China's coast, with the capability of reaching Taiwan in under ten minutes. This number was not disputed by the PRC, and it is estimated to increase by 50 missiles annually.

    The mounting threats and hostile actions taken by the PRC toward Taiwan underscore the volatility of the situation on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The continued build-up of missiles and military exercises on China's southeast coast remind us that democratic Taiwan and its people face a constant and imminent threat from an authoritarian regime.

    Mr. President, in your November 19 "Three Pillars" speech in London, you spoke about America's strong commitment to the global expansion of democracy. We applaud your efforts to promote democracy and freedom and look forward to joining in efforts to garner international support for this important campaign.

    However, we are deeply concerned that a vocal opposition to a Taiwanese referendum would send the wrong signal to the international community that the United States is not fully committed to expanding democracy.

    Taiwan is a thriving democracy that promotes freedom and the rule of law. It is our hope that your administration will move away from its opposition to a referendum asking that the PRC withdraw the hundreds of ballistic missiles threatening the people of Taiwan. We look forward to working with you to strengthen our friendship with Taiwan and further promote democracy in East Asia. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

(By Jay Chen)

enditem/Li