S. Con. Res. 99

    S. Con. Res. 99 was introduced in the Senate on 28 March 2000, and adopted the same day by unanimous consent.

106th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. CON. RES. 99

Congratulating the people of Taiwan for the successful conclusion of presidential elections on March 18, 2000, and reaffirming United States policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 28, 2000

Mr. LOTT submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Congratulating the people of Taiwan for the successful conclusion of presidential elections on March 18, 2000, and reaffirming United States policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.

Whereas section 2(c) of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8) states `[t]he preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan' to be an objective of the United States;

Whereas Taiwan has become a multiparty democracy in which all citizens have the right to participate freely in the political process;

Whereas the people of Taiwan have, by their vigorous participation in electoral campaigns and public debate, strengthened the foundations of a free and democratic way of life;

Whereas Taiwan successfully conducted a presidential election on March 18, 2000;

Whereas President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan has actively supported the consolidation of democratic institutions and processes in Taiwan since 1988 when he became President;

Whereas this election represents the first such transition of national office from one elected leader to another in the history of Chinese societies;

Whereas the continued democratic development of Taiwan is a matter of fundamental importance to the advancement of United States interests in East Asia and is supported by the United States Congress and the American people;

Whereas a stable and peaceful security environment in East Asia is essential to the furtherance of democratic developments in Taiwan and other countries, as well as to the protection of human rights throughout the region;

Whereas since 1972 United States policy toward the People's Republic of China has been predicated upon, as stated in section 2(b)(3) of the Taiwan Relations Act, `the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means';

Whereas section 2(b)(6) of the Taiwan Relations Act further pledges `to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan';

Whereas on June 9, 1998, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to adopt House Concurrent Resolution 270 that called upon the President of the United States to seek `a public renunciation by the People's Republic of China of any use of force, or threat to use force, against democratic Taiwan';

Whereas the People's Republic of China has consistently refused to renounce the use of force against Taiwan;

Whereas the State Council, an official organ at the highest level of the Government of the People's Republic of China, issued a `white paper' on February 21, 2000, which threatened `to adopt all drastic measures possible, including the use of force', if Taiwan indefinitely delays entering into negotiations with the People's Republic of China on the issue of reunification; and

Whereas the February 21, 2000, statement by the State Council significantly escalates tensions across the Taiwan Straits and sets forth a new condition that has not heretofore been stated regarding the conditions that would prompt the People's Republic of China to use force against Taiwan: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That--

(1) the people of Taiwan are to be congratulated for the successful conclusion of presidential elections on March 18, 2000, and for their continuing efforts in developing and sustaining a free, democratic society which respects human rights and embraces free markets;

(2) President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan is to be congratulated for his significant contributions to freedom and democracy on Taiwan;

(3) President-elect Chen Shui-bian and Vice President-elect Annette Hsiu-lien Lu of Taiwan are to be congratulated for their victory, and they have the strong support and best wishes of the Congress and the American people for a successful administration;

(4) it is the sense of Congress that the People's Republic of China should refrain from making provocative threats against Taiwan and should instead undertake steps that would lead to a substantive dialogue, including a renunciation of the use of force against Taiwan and progress toward democracy, the rule of law, and protection of human and religious rights in the People's Republic of China; and

(5) the provisions of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8) are hereby affirmed as the statutory standard by which United States policy toward Taiwan shall be determined.