TEXT: SEN. MURKOWSKI IN CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON TAIWAN WTO ENTRY
(Congratulates Taiwan for commitment to WTO principles)

Washington -- Senator Frank Murkowski (Republican of Alaska) called on the Clinton administration to continue to show leadership in advancing Taiwan's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In a statement entered into the Congressional Record March 9, Murkowski, who sits on the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, congratulated Taiwan for committing to adopt WTO principles "particularly when many countries in the region are questioning the merits of opening doors and providing freer access to their domestic markets. Taiwan, once again, is serving as a model for the region," he said.

Murkowski's statement also included a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky congratulating the U.S. team of negotiators on the successful conclusion of bilateral negotiations with Taiwan regarding its entry into the WTO.

Following is the Congressional Record text:

(begin text)

TAIWAN MOVES CLOSER TO WTO ENTRY (Senate - March 09, 1998)

[Page: S1552]

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to call my colleagues' attention to the recent conclusion of the bilateral trade negotiations between the United States and the Republic of China on Taiwan. I think it is significant because it is this event that moves Taiwan one step closer to entry into the World Trade Organization.

This event has particular significance to me because I was a member of the Foreign Relations Committee in 1990 when Taiwan first applied for membership in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the predecessor organization to the World Trade Organization.

Then chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Claiborne Pell, and I and a number of others initiated a letter to President Bush, signed by 13 members of the Foreign Relations Committee, urging our Government to support the formation of a working group on Taiwan's application to GATT. A similar letter to the President, initiated by then chairman of the Finance Committee Lloyd Bentsen and ranking Republican Bob Packwood was signed by 20 members of the Senate Finance Committee.

Mr. President, I am gratified that Taiwan and the United States have reached this important milestone in our bilateral relationship. I also congratulate Taiwan for committing to adopt WTO principles at this time, particularly when many countries in the region are questioning the merits of opening doors and providing freer access to their domestic markets. Taiwan, once again, is serving as a model for the region.

Last week, members of the Finance Committee had an opportunity to meet with the U.S. Trade Representative, Charlene Barshefsky, to discuss this issue, among others. The members of the Finance Committee attending that meeting signed a letter to Ambassador Barshefsky congratulating her and the other USTR negotiators for reaching a deal that will dramatically open Taiwan's markets to U.S. agricultural products, services, and other industrial goods.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of that letter be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

United States Senate, Washington, DC, February 26, 1998.

Hon. Charlene Barshefsky, United States Trade Representative, Winder Building, Washington, DC.

[Page: S1553]

Dear Ambassador Barshefsky:

We write to congratulate you and your team of negotiators on the successful conclusion of bilateral negotiations with the Republic of China on Taiwan regarding Taiwan's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

We agree with your assessment that this agreement will `dramatically open Taiwan's market to U.S. agricultural products, services and industrial goods.' The agreement marks an important milestone in our bilateral relationship with Taiwan, this country's seventh largest trading partner and the world's fourteenth largest economy. Taiwan's commitment to adopt WTO principles should be applauded, especially during a time when many countries in the region are questioning the merit of opening doors and providing freer access to their domestic markets. The United States should now exercise international leadership to support Taiwan's entry into the WTO at the earliest possible opportunity.

We look forward to your continued leadership on this issue.

Frank H. Murkowski, Richard H. Bryan, Connie Mack, Bob Graham, Max Baucus, Chuck Grassley, Jay Rockefeller, John Breaux.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I hope that Taiwan now continues its forward march and finishes its two outstanding bilateral negotiations with the European Union and Switzerland. And I call on our administration to continue to show leadership on this issue.

I am also encouraged by the leadership of the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Renato Ruggiero, in his recent comments that, `Taiwan's entry does not depend on China. The negotiations of Taiwan are progressing well. At the World Trade Organization we are not, fortunately, ruled by political principles.' I hope the rest of the WTO members, the United States included, will abide by those words.

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