Print

Mail

wiki links

Bill seeks to upgrade AIT director's status

"The Taiwan Strait is a dangerous place. So why are we applying more congressional scrutiny to who heads up our embassy in a tourist destination like Barbados than we do to who is heading our mission in Taiwan?"

Tom Tancredo, US representative from Colorado

A bill to upgrade the status of the director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) by requiring that he or she undergo the same full, formal confirmation process in the Senate as all US ambassadors was introduced in the House of Representatives on Wednesday by two of Taiwan's most ardent supporters in the legislative body.

The move came in response to efforts by the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), which last December made the confirmation of AIT directors a priority lobbying issue for the ongoing congressional session.

The bill was introduced by representatives Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican and Dana Rohrabacher of California, co-chairman of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.

Both are members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which would have jurisdiction over the legislation.

"Given the strategic importance of the US-Taiwan relationship and US obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act [TRA], Congress ought to play a role in deciding who represents US interests in Taiwan," Tancredo said.

"The Taiwan Strait is a dangerous place. So why are we applying more congressional scrutiny to who heads up our embassy in a tourist destination like Barbados than we do to who is heading our mission in Taiwan?" he asked.

The TRA created the AIT, but did not specify how the directors are appointed.

It did, however, give Congress monitoring authority over the operations of the organization.

In a "dear colleague" letter to members of the House sent earlier this week to generate co-sponsors, Tancredo said that full Senate confirmation "will put a legislative `stamp of approval' on whoever is appointed to this position in the future."

"[It] would give the legislative branch of government the same opportunity they currently have with countless other appointees to consider the qualifications and expertise of potential AIT nominees," he added.

"Perhaps most importantly, the confirmation process will provide an opportunity for the legislative and executive branches to exchange views about the ever-changing situation in the Taiwan Strait," he said.

Historically, directors have been chosen by the president on the recommendation of the State Department.

If it were to pass, the bill would require that the appointment be made with the "advice and consent of the Senate," as are all other ambassadorial positions.

The process would include a confirmation hearing and formal approval by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and approval by the full Senate.

While Taiwan has been the focus of the House committee dealing with foreign relations in recent years, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has not held a single Taiwan-related hearing since Jesse Helms' tenure.

Helms, a fervent supporter of Taiwan, retired from the chairmanship in 2001.

His successors, Republican Richard Lugar and current chairman, Democrat Joseph Biden, have not held such a hearing.
This story has been viewed 2121 times.