Text: House International Relations Chairman on Taiwan, China Threats
("These threats are unacceptable," Gilman says)

Representative Benjamin A. Gilman, chairman of the House International Relations Committee, criticized China's recent statements concerning the upcoming Taiwan election as "unacceptable" and "contemptible threats."

In a press release issued March 15, Gilman encouraged the people of Taiwan to choose the presidential candidate that they feel will best represent them, adding that "whoever is selected to lead Taiwan will have a productive working relationship with the American people, the American Congress and the American government."

"It is also regrettable," Gilman said, "that the Chinese have turned to blaming the United States for the problems in their relationship with Taiwan. It seems to me that the refusal to renounce the use of force, an unprecedented military buildup, and threatening rhetoric against Taiwan would be more central to the difficulties in the relationship. The United States has been key to the peace and stability that we have seen across the Taiwan Strait for over 50 years."

Following is the text of the press release from Gilman's office:

(begin text)

HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
PRESS RELEASE

DATE: March 15, 2000

GILMAN BLASTS CHINESE INTIMIDATION OF TAIWAN

WASHINGTON (March 15) - U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, released the following statement today concerning the Taiwanese election set for Saturday, March 18:

"On Saturday, the people of Taiwan will be free to choose a new president. Regrettably, officials of the People's Republic of China have made statements designed to intimidate the Taiwanese people into voting for a candidate acceptable to China.

"These threats are unacceptable. The United States insists that the status of Taiwan be decided by peaceful means with the consent of the people of Taiwan. It is my hope that the people of Taiwan will ignore these contemptible threats and choose the candidate that they feel will best represent them. Whoever is selected to lead Taiwan will have a productive working relationship with the American people, the American Congress and the American government.

"Rather than engaging in threatening behavior, China should be congratulating Taipei for the consolidation of its democracy -- the first in 5,000 years of Chinese history -- and for laying the groundwork for working with the new Taiwanese president for the betterment of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

"It is also regrettable that the Chinese have turned to blaming the United States for the problems in their relationship with Taiwan. It seems to me that the refusal to renounce the use of force, an unprecedented military buildup, and threatening rhetoric against Taiwan would be more central to the difficulties in the relationship. The United States has been key to the peace and stability that we have seen across the Taiwan Strait for over 50 years."

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)

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