Text: Chairmen Helms, Gilman Statements on Threats Against Taiwan
(Congressional foreign affairs leaders "deeply concerned")Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms and House International Relations Committee Chairman Benjamin A. Gilman both released statements February 22 saying they were "deeply concerned" by new threats made by the People's Republic of China to invade Taiwan.
Gilman said that China's new threat of force "is a clear example of how the Clinton administration has led Beijing to believe the United States will not stand behind its moral and security commitments to Taiwan." He said the United States needs to take "a firmer stance toward Beijing."
Helms expressed displeasure with the U.S. Department of State for not cooperating with his call for expert Administration testimony for a February 23 committee meeting on Taiwan's annual defense request.
Following are the texts of Helms's and Gilman's statements:
(begin Helms text)
February 22, 2000
HELMS STATEMENT ON NEW THREATS AGAINST TAIWAN
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms (Republican from North Carolina) issued the following statement today:
"I am deeply concerned by today's revelations that Red China has escalated its threat of armed aggression against democratic Taiwan, lowering the threshold by which Beijing would justify an invasion of the island."
"In light of these new and disturbing threats from Beijing, I am extremely disturbed that the Clinton administration has refused to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee tomorrow on Taiwan's annual defense request. After all, we filed our request with the State Department in writing on January 21 that the Department cooperate by sending a competent, well-informed witness to testify tomorrow.
I wonder what's the problem; does the State Department have no one who is competent or well-informed? I am willing to conduct the hearing in closed session, but this committee needs and is entitled to know what the Administration plans regarding Taiwan. I resent being brushed off at the last minute and I will bear in mind this experience the next time the State Department asks something of me."
(end Helms text)
(begin Gilman text)
HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE
February 22, 2000
GILMAN STATEMENT ON BEIJING'S INTIMIDATION OF TAIWAN
WASHINGTON (Feb. 22) - U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (Republican from New York), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, released the following statement today:
"I am deeply concerned about China's latest effort to intimidate Taiwan. It is a clear example of how the Clinton administration has led Beijing to believe the United States will not stand behind its moral and security commitments to Taiwan.
"The administration's policy of accommodation toward Beijing is proving to be ineffective and is destabilizing the region. A firmer stance toward Beijing is required."
(end Gilman text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)
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