Calling on the U.N. to Consider Taiwan's U.N. Application

Floor Speech

CALLING ON THE U.N. TO CONSIDER TAIWAN'S U.N. APPLICATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 14, 2007)

* Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for Taiwan and its application for admittance to the United Nations. It is vital that Congress and the Administration support our friend and ally by giving it the respect and dignity it deserves with a seat in the U.N. General Assembly.

* It is unfortunate that the Secretary General of the United Nations chose to reject without consideration Taiwan's application for membership on July 23, 2007. His unfortunate statement ``The position of the United Nations is that the People's Republic of China represents tHe whole of China as the sole and legitimate representative government of China,'' does not reflect the reality in the Taiwan Straits. For nearly 60 years there have been, two different and distinct governments in the People's Republic of China and Taiwan. By admitting Taiwan as a member of the United Nations, there would be no change to the present reality at play in the Taiwan Straits.

* China's claims to an internationally recognized norm of ``One China'' do not ring true when one reviews the status quo. The Chinese authorities' only actions regarding relations with Taipei are to intimidate and embarrass. China uses military and diplomatic threats to oppose Taiwan's independence and belittle those who make attempts to bring the issue forward. At the same time it insists Taiwan is part of China, and yet does nothing to assist the people of Taiwan in obtaining help for health, wealth or happiness.

* The Secretary General's argument that the 1971 Resolution 2758 admitting China to the U.N. means the government in Beijing represents the interests of Taiwan as well is flimsy, at best. Resolution 2758 recognized the legitimacy of the People's Republic of China as China's rightful representative, however, there is no authority granted to the People's Republic of China over the people of Taiwan. This does nothing to change the fact that the government in Beijing has no authority over the 23 million people of Taiwan and that the government of Taiwan has had no authority over the people of the People's Republic of China.

* The United Nations should not dismiss Taiwan's status simply as a matter that has been previously resolved by Resolution 2758. Taiwan's accession to the General Assembly will not change the current state of affairs in the Taiwan Strait. China makes no effort to control or impose its will upon Taiwan's politics or policies. Taiwan conducts elections, enters into trade agreements and conducts business in the international community on its own.

* Taiwan's admission into the U.N. will have important public health ramifications as well. A seat in the United Nations would help Taiwan secure a place in the World Health Organization. Such a development will reduce the likelihood that diseases such as avian flu could spread through Taiwan's busy ports.

* Furthermore, the idea of having dual U.N. representation of a [''unified''] country is not unprecedented. When a conflict such as the one facing Taiwan and China exists, it is in the interest of the international community to follow past precedent. I hope the Secretary General, the President and my colleagues will recall that East and West Germany were given two seats in the General Assembly, Belarus and Ukraine were given seats even as part of the Soviet Union and North and South Korea are each represented in the General Assembly.

* I hope this body and the Administration will stand firm and support U.N. membership for Taiwan.

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