Pro-China lawmakers brought their differences with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to Washington on Thursday, warning members of Congress not to accept Chen's "one country on either side" statement and dismissing his call for legislation on a referendum on Taiwan's future as unrepresentative of the views of the people of Taiwan.
A 23-member Legislative Yuan delegation of KMT and PFP lawmakers began a two-day round of talks with congressmen and George W. Bush administration officials with a message that Chen's Aug. 3 remarks on Taiwan's future are dangerous and provocative and imperil stability in the Taiwan Strait.
"We do not support the independence of Taiwan," delegation leader John Chang (
In a speech at the reception, which was attended by nine members of Congress, including the four caucus co-chairmen, Chang said, "We do not see any need for legislation on a referendum in the parliament. Only a handful of politicians have been pushing that issue very hard," he said.
Calling Chen's action a threat to the stability in the Strait, Chang said, "the purpose of the United States in defending Taiwan is to assure that the situation in that area will be quiet, will be peaceful. So any action against that goal is not acceptable to our delegation."
Nevertheless, Chang said he looked forward some day to the re-establishment of formal ties with the US and he hoped the name of the caucus would be changed to the "US-ROC Caucus."
Deputy delegation leader Hwang Yih-jiao (黃義交) of the PFP said he hopes Chen's statements "will not jeopardize the delicate balance of power in the Taiwan Strait." He said Taiwan must "avoid provocative action that will invite an irresponsible response by the Communist side."
Delegation members said they intended to bring their anti-Chen messages to administration officials during their meeting with them yesterday. The delegation will meet with State Department, Pentagon and National Security Council officials in the morning in a session arranged by the American Institute on Taiwan's Washington office.
KMT Legislator Kwan Yuk-noan (關沃暖) told the Taipei Times the delegation wants to impress on the US government that Chen's statement, which he said "surprised everybody," and his handling of Chinese affairs are "really dangerous."
The delegation was also to meet with various think tanks as well as calling on individual congressmen before leaving Washington this morning for New York.
Congressmen meeting the delegation heaped praise on Taiwan and pledged their full support to the island, including their support for Taiwan independence.
"We look forward to the day when Taiwan will be a full member of the United Nations and recognized for what it is: A great independent nation with people who are world-class citizens, neighbors and friends," said former House International Relations Committee chairman Benjamin Gilman.
Caucus co-chairman Steve Chalbot, stressed the caucus's commitment to the security of Taiwan. Chalbot said he met with Chinese officials Wednesday and told them, "this Congress, Republican and Democrat alike, stands behind our longtime friends and allies on Taiwan. We believe the future of Taiwan should be decided by the people of Taiwan, and we will oppose any efforts by the PRC to inflict its totalitarian system on your nation."
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