Formosan Association for Public Affairs
552 7th Street. SE. Washington, DC 20003, USA

Washington DC – September 15th 2010

U.S. Representatives introduce UN-for-Taiwan resolution as UN General Assembly convenes for annual session

On September 14th 2010 — the same day the annual session of the General Assembly of the United Nations kicked off in New York — Representatives Scott Garrett (R-NJ), John Duncan (R-TN), Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Walter Jones (R-NC) introduced Congressional resolution HCR316 calling for Taiwan’s full membership in the United Nations. The resolution concludes that “it is the sense of the Congress that Taiwan and its 23,000,000 people deserve membership in the United Nations”

Over the years, several resolutions in support of full UN membership for Taiwan have been introduced in and passed by the United States Congress. Congressman Garrett himself introduced HCR250 in the previous 110th Congress.

Other resolutions in support of meaningful participation of Taiwan in the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization have been introduced and passed by Congress as well.

Rep. Garrett states: “The people of Taiwan and their freely elected government continue to be ignored by the United Nations. [...] Not only is this continued ignorance clearly counter to the lofty goals of the United Nations, it is also dangerous. Because of Taiwan’s difficulties in gaining recognition with the world body, they have been excluded from many of the World Health Organization’s structures to prevent the international spread of disease.”

In response to the introduction, FAPA President Professor Bob Yang, stated: “We warmly welcome Congressman’s Garrett’s initiative. It is important that this message from the U.S. Congress is sent out to the world today that the 23 million people of Taiwan are left out of the family of nations. The fact that the resolution is introduced on the same day the UN General Assembly opens its annual session is very symbolic.”

Dr. Yang continued: “We want to remind the international community that Taiwan’s membership in the UN is not only to the benefit of the people of Taiwan, but that Taiwan is ready, willing, able and eager to fully contribute to the United Nations and the international community as well.”

Dr. Yang concluded: “Taiwan’s full and equal membership in the United Nations and other international organizations is long overdue. The rationale of the world community in 1971 was that they were righting one wrong in giving China a seat in the United Nations. Now it is time to right the wrong created at that time, namely the U.N. disenfranchisement of Taiwan’s citizens.”

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Text of Resolution:

111th CONGRESS — HCR316 —-

Supporting Taiwan’s membership in appropriate international organizations such as the United Nations.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DATE

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Supporting Taiwan’s membership in appropriate international organizations such as the United Nations.

Whereas for more than 50 years a close relationship has existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has been of major economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to both countries;

Whereas the 23,000,000 people in Taiwan are not represented in the United Nations and their human rights as citizens of the world are therefore severely abridged;

Whereas Taiwan has over the years repeatedly expressed its strong desire to participate in the United Nations;

Whereas Taiwan has much to contribute to the work and funding of the United Nations;

Whereas the world community has reacted positively to Taiwan’s desire for international participation, as shown by Taiwan’s membership in the Asian Development Bank, Taiwan’s admission to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group as a full member, and Taiwan’s membership in the World Trade Organization;

Whereas section 4(d) of the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3303(d)) declares, `Nothing in this Act may be construed as a basis for supporting the exclusion or expulsion of Taiwan from continued membership in any international financial institution or any other international organization.’; and

Whereas the United States has supported Taiwan’s participation in international organizations including the World Health Organization: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that–

(1) Taiwan and its 23,000,000 people deserve membership in the United Nations; and

(2) the United States should fulfill the commitment it made in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review to more actively support Taiwan’s membership in appropriate international organizations.

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Text of “Dear Colleague” letter:

September 14, 2010

Support Taiwan’s Admission to the United Nations
The Taiwanese People Remain Unrepresented in the World Body

Dear Colleague:

The people of Taiwan and their freely elected government continue to be ignored by the United Nations. The world body continues to pretend that the unelected communist government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) truly represents the interests of the 23 million people living in Taiwan.

Not only is this continued ignorance clearly counter to the lofty goals of the United Nations, it is also dangerous. Because of Taiwan’s difficulties in gaining recognition with the world body, they have been excluded from many of the World Health Organization’s structures to prevent the international spread of disease. Several years ago, the PRC waited 10 days before sending along an important WHO alert. Clearly, mainland China is not looking out for the health and welfare of those living in Taiwan.

Taiwan is the only democratically-governed nation in the world who is not represented in the United Nations. Taiwan is not asking to represent all of China in the UN or to control the Chinese seat on the Security Council. It is only fitting that 23 million people who freely elect their own government should have one vote in the General Assembly of the United Nations.

We, the democratically elected legislators of the United States should stand up for our counterparts in Taiwan. Please consider cosponsoring the attached resolution which calls for our nation to work toward a proper recognition of Taiwan in the world body. To cosponsor or for more information please contact etc…

Sincerely,

Scott Garrett
Member of Congress