Posted on 02/12/2005 9:38:24 AM PST by Paul_Denton
Washington, Feb. 12 (CNA) Several members of U.S. House of Representatives have voiced their opposition to mainland China's proposed anti-secession law, saying that the law will not only unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait but will also escalate military tension and endanger regional peace and stability. They said the proposed law will also challenge the U.S. determination to honor its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and urged Beijing not to enact such a law. They also called for other free nations to jointly oppose the law. The remarks of the representatives, including Dan Burton, Sherrod Brown, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Peter T. King, Thomas G. Tancredo and Heather Wilson, have been put on the congressional record.
According to Burton, the proposed anti-secession law, together with the publication of a PRC white paper last year titled "China's National Defense in 2004 " that calls Taiwan's independence the "biggest immediate threat to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, " along with the prospect of a lifting of a European Union arms embargo on the mainland, are alarming and represent a disturbing trend in Beijing's attitude toward the situation in the Taiwan Strait. "If this anti-secession law is enacted, the response from the Taiwanese will be predictable. Military tension will rise accordingly in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and stability will be affected, " he said, adding that "this cannot be in the best interests of any country, especially those in the region."
Pointing out that the proposed law is unnecessarily provocative and will escalate tension in the Taiwan Strait as well as challenge Washington's will to stand behind the TRA, Brown said that the mainland is seeking to unilaterally change the status quo in the strait and force its own style of government on the 23 million people of Taiwan. He also said that the mainland has ignored Taiwan's contributions to the mainland's strong economy, as well as Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's gestures of goodwill. Saying that the freedom-loving people of Taiwan have reacted to the proposed law with disappointment, Rose-Lehtinen noted that in a recent public opinion poll, 70 percent of Taiwanese people opposed the "anti-secession" law. "I share the sentiments of the people of Taiwan and stand with them in their zeal for freedom and liberty, " the representative further said. Condemning the proposed law, Tancredo said that Beijing is feeling out the free world to determine its commitment to the safety and security of Taiwan. "I hope the family of free nations will condemn the `anti-secession law' with a unified voice, making it clear to China that any resolution of cross-strait tension must be peaceful and above all acceptable to the people of Taiwan," he added.
Expressing his concern that the mainland might use the law to make unilateral decisions to change the status quo of cross-strait relations, Wilson said that the proposed law, if adopted, will not foster an atmosphere favorable to cross-strait goodwill. King expressed hope that the mainland will not enact an anti-secession law or take any steps that might prompt a confrontation in the Taiwan Strait. (By Oliver Lin and P.C. Tang) ENDITEM/J
We are dealing with hard-line commies. They are paranoid about the EXAMPLE OF INDEPENDENCE that Taiwan shows not so much to the world, BUT TO THE OTHER PEOPLE OF MAINLAND COMMIE CHINA!!!!
They are very worried about the power of freedom.
Amen. I was shocked to see him on the list. I think it's part of a Bill Richardson-type effort on his part to carve out a "int'l relations expert" niche for himself within the party. Heck, Taiwan needs all the friends it can get. I just hope it doesn't pass unnecessary, symbolic legislation that would serve only to inflame the situation. Keep arming, keep making money and deprive the PRC of any "reason" to act.
Meanwhile, Americans continue to fund the military buildup of China and ensure the deaths of their children in the eventual war between China and the U.S.
U.S.. should step back from Asia with Americas military umbrella and encourage Japan and Taiwan to ARM THEMSELVES.. and Indonesia too..
Give China something "ELSE" to think about..
and slap a 20% tariff on all Chinese imports.
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