Taiwan getting a stronger voice in US halls of power

Amid of improvement in relations between the US and Taiwan under the George W. Bush administration, a new group has been established on Capitol Hill which co-founders say is dedicated to the further enhancement of the bilateral relationship.

Eighty-five of the US House of Representatives joined the bi-partisan group, called the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, which will help increase the awareness of issues impacting the relations between the US and Taiwan, co-founders said Tuesday.

The informal congressional organization will focus on "the concrete steps that Congress can take to enhance and strengthen this important economic, political, cultural and strategic relationship," congressman Robert Wexler said at the official launch of the caucus.

"The caucus will also serve as a forum to educate members of Congress on issues affecting US-Taiwan relations as well as play a constructive role in monitoring and supporting peaceful cross-strait discussions between Taipei and Beijing," he said.

"Finally, the caucus will serve as a medium by which legislators from the United States and Taiwan can formally exchange ideas and policy concerns," Wexler said.

He said the group does not have plans at present to initiate Taiwan-related legislation, although finding ways to help Taiwan's bid to participate in international organizations is expected to be a priority.

"Members of the caucus will seek the administration's endorsement of Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization," said co-founder Sherrod Brown.

"With the creation of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I am confident we will accomplish our goals and establish Taiwan as an active member of the international community," he said.

The other two co-founders are Dana Rohrabacher and Steve Chabot. A group of legislators from Taiwan, led by Trong Chai (蔡同榮), were present at the launch in the Capitol.

There are no plans to form a similar group in the Senate or to make the caucus a bicameral body, the co-founders said.

The launch of the group came after a year of remarkable improvements in the level of contacts between the two countries, which has been the subject of repeated protests from Beijing.

Wexler to ease concerns that the latest action might cause damage to US relations with Beijing or to the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

"The design of the caucus is to play a constructive role, particularly with respect to cross-strait relations," he said. "That is our goal."

Prior the press conference where the caucus was announced, a meeting was held to discuss its future direction. The caucus is led by four joint chairmen, and three of them -- Sherrod Brown, a Democrat; Steve Chabot, a Republican; and Dana Rohrabacher, also a Republican -- took part in the meeting.

Rohrabacher that the US has been preoccupied with its war against terror following the Sept. 11 attacks, but to achieve the goal of long-term national security, other threats must not be ignored.

He went on to say that stability in Taiwan and the Pacific region is in the long-term interest of the US, and that the Taiwanese experience sets a good example for the future development of China.

Chabot that Taiwan, one of its most loyal allies, is special to the US. He continued to say that Taiwan is the US' seventh largest trading partner and the 14th largest trading nation in the world, and that the Taiwan caucus would in future do its utmost to promote US-Taiwan relations.