US Congress: "Full and equal membership" for Taiwan in the UN

Washington, 3 August 2001

On Thursday, 2 August 2001, a resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives urging Taiwan's "full and equal membership" in the UN and other international organizations.

The resolution was introduced by Congressman Bob Schaffer (R-CO), and co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group of 13 House Members in calling on the Bush Administration to "take a leading role in gaining international support for Taiwan's participation" in the United Nations and other international organizations, stating that Taiwan deserves "full and equal membership" in these bodies.

Introduction of the resolution was initiated by the Washington-based Formosan Association for Public Affairs, which kicked off the "Taiwan into the United Nations Campaign" by the Taiwanese-American community.

On the occasion of the introduction, Congressman Schaffer made the following statement. The text of the Resolution is given below.

United States House of Representatives

106th CONGRESS 2nd Session

House Concurrent Resolution H.C.R. 219

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding U.S. policy towards Taiwan’s membership in international organizations.

• Whereas Taiwan has dramatically improved its record on human rights and routinely holds free and fair elections in a multiparty system, as evidenced most recently by Taiwan's second democratic presidential election of March 18, 2000, in which Mr. Chen Shui-bian was elected as president;
• Whereas the 23 million people on Taiwan are not represented in the United Nations and their human rights as citizens of the world are therefore severely abridged;
• Whereas Taiwan has in recent years repeatedly expressed its strong desire to join the United Nations and other international organizations;
• Whereas Taiwan has much to contribute to the work and funding of the United Nations;
• Whereas the world community has reacted positively to Taiwan's desire for international participation, as shown by Taiwan's membership in the Asian Development Bank, Taiwan's admission to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group as a full member, and Taiwan’s anticipated membership in the World Trade Organization;
• Whereas Taiwan, as evidenced above, possesses ample resources and creativity to contribute to the work and funding of the UN and its affiliate organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as benefit from these organizations; and
• Whereas Public Law 106–137 required the Secretary of State to submit a report to the Congress on administration efforts to support Taiwan's participation in international organizations, Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that

1. Taiwan and its 23 million people deserve full and equal membership in the United Nations and other international organizations; and
2. the United States should take a leading role in gaining international support for Taiwan’s participation in these organizations.