Max Baucus: “I rise in support of this concurrent resolution. The concurrent resolution offered by the Senator from Alaska is, in…”

“I rise in support of this concurrent resolution. The concurrent resolution offered by the Senator from Alaska is, in essence, a statement of a basic American principle: free association, or our right to meet and speak with whomever we choose. It is strictly limited to this issue, and raises no fundamental questions of China policy. This resolution welcomes the visit of President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan, as a private citizen, to attend the United States-Republic of China Business Council conference in Alaska, and give a speech at Cornell University. These activities would in no way violate any of our commitments to China, and would make sure we give President Lee the respect he has earned as one of Asia's great democrats. The principal objection to this resolution is the claim that it would violated American commitments to the Chinese Government. Let me review precisely what these commitments are. In 1972, 1979, and 1982, we signed a series of three communiques with the People's Republic of China. In the last of these, to quote the text: The two sides agreed that the people of the United States would continue to maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan. I believe we should keep our promises.”