Washington, 21 May 1998. Twelve prominent members of the
United States Senate today urged President Clinton to resist Chinese
pressure to reduce America's commitment to Taiwan's security and to
call on China to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.
Mr. Clinton is scheduled to meet next month in Beijing with
Chinese President Jiang Zemin. In a letter to the president drafted
by Senator Frank Murkowski R-Alaska, and signed by Senate Majority
Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.,
among others, the Senators noted that China is often eager to
persuade the United States "to compromise our support for
Taiwan and its democracy."
"A case in point occurred on April 29 when, in the presence
of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, PRC Foreign Minister Tang
Jiaxuan told reporters that "the question of Taiwan" is "the
most important and most sensitive core issue in relations between
China and the United States." "That may have signaled a
new effort by President Jiang to get U.S. assistance in China's
ongoing campaign to isolate Taiwan."
The Senators' letter said, "We believe the American people
are united in their support for freedom and democracy on Taiwan.
Time and again, Congress has made clear our commitment to Taiwan,
beginning with the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, and through many
resolutions and bills since then."
Specifically, the letter urged that: The President call on Beijing
to renounce the use of force and the threat of it against Taiwan.
The U.S. neither alter its policy of selling defensive arms to
Taiwan nor promise to consult Beijing before future transfers. The
President not participate in a new Beijing-Washington joint
statement on Taiwan - what is often called the "Fourth
Communiqué." And that the Taiwan Relations Act be left
intact.
"We believe Taiwan has made extraordinary progress in recent
years as the Republic of China has moved to establish a vibrant
democracy with free elections, free press, and improved trading
practices," the letter said. "We in Congress are prepared
to reiterate the commitment of the American people to freedom and
democracy for the people and government of Taiwan. We look forward
to your reassurance on these issues in advance of the summit."
In addition to Murkowski, Lott and Daschle, other signers of the
letter include Foreign Relations Chairman Jesse Helms, R.-S.C.;
Gordon Smith, R.-Ore.; Craig Thomas, R.-Wyo., chairman of the East
Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the Foreign Relations
Committee; Robert Torricelli, D.-N.J., Chuck Hagel, R.-Neb., Larry
Craig, R.-Idaho, Tim Johnson, D.-S.D., Connie Mack, R.-Fla., and
Alfonse D'Amato, R.-N.Y.
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The text of the letter
May 21, 1998
Dear Mr. President: As you prepare for your summit with the
leaders of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, we thought
it appropriate to share with you our thoughts regarding U.S.
relations with the people and the government of Taiwan.
We believe Taiwan has made extraordinary progress in recent
years as that nation has moved to establish a vibrant democracy
with free elections, free press, and improved trading practices.
We believe the American people are united in their support for
freedom and democracy on Taiwan. Time and again, Congress has
made clear our commitment to Taiwan, beginning with the 1979
Taiwan Relations Act, and through many resolutions and bills
since then.
Although we do not know what will be on the summit agenda, we
do know that the PRC is often eager to try and persuade the
United States to compromise our support for Taiwan and its
democracy.
Mr. President, we urge you to oppose any efforts at the summit
by the PRC leadership to diminish American support for Taiwan.
We believe it is important for the United States to make clear
at the summit that while the U.S. supports a peaceful dialogue
between Taipei and Beijing, the U.S. has committed not to
pressure Taiwan on this issue and to not play any mediation
role.
You should reiterate statements made recently by members of
your administration calling on the PRC to renounce the use of
force or the threat of force against Taiwan. Further, we urge
you to reject any plans for a "Fourth Communiqué"
on issues related to Taiwan; to not weaken our defensive arms
sales commitment to Taiwan (either by agreeing to set an end
date or by agreeing to hold prior consultations with the PRC);
to not make any commitment to limit future visits by the elected
representatives of Taiwan; to not agree to revise the Taiwan
Relations Act; and to not alter the U.S. position regarding
sovereignty over Taiwan.
We in Congress are prepared to reiterate the commitment of the
American people to freedom and democracy for the people and
government of Taiwan. We look forward to your reassurance on
these issues in advance of the summit.
Sincerely,
Senator Frank Murkowski; Senator Trent Lott; Senator Tom
Daschle; Senator Jesse Helms; Senator Gordon Smith; Senator
Craig Thomas; Senator Robert Torricelli; Senator Chuck Hagel;
Senator Larry Craig; Senator Tim Johnson; Senator Connie Mack;
Senator Alfonse D'Amato |
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