When you enter American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Richard Bush's office, perched high above the Potomac River in Virginia, you are immediately struck by its sweeping view of Washington, laid out as neatly as a postcard before you.
This is indeed a fitting setting for the head of the US' unofficial "State Department for Taiwan."
PHOTO: TAIPEI TIMES
Richard Bush, though, is no stuffy diplomat. Family photographs prominently displayed in his office are the first giveaway.
Ask about his family and you get an animated response about his wife Marty and her work, his daughter Sharmon's wedding and her new married life, his son Andrew's PhD research at Harvard in paleontology and his parents, now retired and living in Texas.
Bush also has a great sense of humor that cuts through any remaining concerns visitors might have as he greets them with his head pensively cocked to one side and a slightly lost-in-thought look on his face.
Born in Chicago on Nov. 21, 1947, Bush lived in the Philippines from 1950 to 1955 and in Hong Kong from 1960 to 1965, where his parents were missionaries.
He received his undergraduate degree in political science from Lawrence University in 1969 and a doctorate in political science from Columbia University in 1978.
During the tough martial law days of 1975, Bush spent 10 months collecting information on Taiwan for his doctoral dissertation.
He followed the changing scene in Taiwan during his work from 1977 to 1983 on the staff of the Asia Society's China Council and became a dynamic part of the process when, from July 1983 to January 1993, he was Representative Stephen Solarz' chief aide covering Taiwan issues on the House Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs.
During the mid-1980s, Solarz was one of the "Four Horsemen," along with Republican Representative Jim Leach, Democratic Senator Claiborne Pell and Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy, who led the congressional charge for democracy and human rights in Taiwan.
Bush has always had an open door for a steady stream of activists, political prisoners, tang wai (non-KMT) crusaders and a wide range of other democracy advocates in Taiwan.
He listened carefully and then moved behind the scenes to frame congressional resolutions, set up hearings and press the administrations of former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush to use US leverage to help change Taiwan's political atmosphere.
From January 1993 to July 1995, Bush served as staff for the House International Relations Committee, working on Asia and Pacific issues.
From July 1995 until his appointment as chairman of the board and managing director of AIT in September 1997, Bush was a member of the National Intelligence Council.
All the while his focus on Taiwan's democratic progress never wavered. Having personally experienced and assisted in the dramatic changes that have taken place in Taiwan, Bush makes it a point to underscore the importance of Taiwan's move to democracy in his position as AIT chairman.
In a summary of his first year at AIT, Bush told a Taiwanese-American audience in November 1998, "My work is very demanding, but I must confess to you that I am having a wonderful time and love my job."
He went on to note, "What has occurred in Taiwan over the last 15 years has totally transformed the island's landscape and is one of the most impressive examples of political progress of our time. And it is Taiwan's democratic system that will ensure that the people on Taiwan will have a say in the issues that will shape their future, such as cross-strait relations."
Bush concluded by summarizing US policy: "For although the US government insists that the future of Taiwan be resolved peacefully, and although we hope that the cross-strait dialogue will be substantive and constructive, we believe that issues of substance, procedure, level, and timing are up to Beijing and Taipei to address on a mutually acceptable basis. Moreover, we understand that because Taiwan is a democracy, any results of cross-strait dialogue will have to have public support. Full democracy ensures that the island's people will have their voice shape their destiny. That is a foundation on which a sound future can be built." Bush's insistence on the import of Taiwanese democracy clearly made its mark in official US statements.
His hand came into full view in February and March 2000, when then-president Bill Clinton stated, "We will continue to make absolutely clear that the issues between Beijing and Taiwan must be resolved peacefully and with the assent of the people of Taiwan."
Concern for peace and stability in East Asia remain the centerpiece of US policy.
For Richard Bush, this US goal is best served by a secure, democratic Taiwan. For more than 20 years, he has served his country well and been a friend of Taiwan in the process of implementing this goal.
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