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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 136 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 136

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 31, 2007

                                Received

                             August 3, 2007

             Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
  Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits to the 
      United States by democratically-elected officials of Taiwan.

Whereas, for over half a century, a close relationship has existed between the 
        United States and Taiwan, which has been of enormous political, 
        economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to both countries;
Whereas Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of the United States in 
        the Asia-Pacific region;
Whereas it is United States policy to support and strengthen democracy around 
        the world;
Whereas, during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan made a remarkable 
        transition to a full-fledged democracy with a vibrant economy and a 
        vigorous multi-party political system that respects human rights and the 
        rule of law;
Whereas in spite of its praise for democracy in Taiwan, the United States 
        Government continues to adhere to guidelines from the 1970s that bar the 
        President, Vice President, Premier, Foreign Minister, and Defense 
        Minister of Taiwan from coming to Washington, DC;
Whereas these restrictions deprive the President, Congress, and the American 
        public of the opportunity to engage in a direct dialogue regarding 
        developments in the Asia-Pacific region and key elements of the 
        relationship between the United States and Taiwan;
Whereas whenever high-level visitors from Taiwan, including the President, seek 
        to come to the United States, their request results in a period of 
        complex, lengthy and humiliating negotiations;
Whereas lifting these restrictions will help bring a United States friend and 
        ally out of its isolation, which will be beneficial to peace and 
        stability in the Asia-Pacific region;
Whereas in consideration of the major economic, security, and political 
        interests shared by the United States and Taiwan, it is to the benefit 
        of the United States for United States officials to meet and communicate 
        directly with the democratically-elected officials of Taiwan;
Whereas since the Taiwan Strait is one of the flashpoints in the world, it is 
        essential that United States policymakers directly communicate with the 
        leaders of Taiwan; and
Whereas section 221 of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act 
        of 1994 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note) provides that the President or other high-
        level officials of Taiwan may visit the United States, including 
        Washington, DC, at any time to discuss a variety of important issues: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) restrictions on visits to the United States by high-
        level elected and appointed officials of Taiwan, including the 
        democratically-elected President of Taiwan, should be lifted;
            (2) the United States should allow direct high-level 
        exchanges at the Cabinet level with the Government of Taiwan, 
        in order to strengthen a policy dialogue with Taiwan; and
            (3) it is in the interest of the United States to 
        strengthen links between the United States and the 
        democratically-elected officials of Taiwan and dem-

              

onstrate stronger support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 30, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.
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