Embassy Row

Taiwan thanks U.S.

C.J. Chen, Taiwan’s unofficial ambassador to the United States, raised a toast to the congressional veterans who preserved relations with his country 25 years ago when the Carter administration wanted to dump the island in favor of the communist government on mainland China.

“We will never forget the people here tonight and what you have done for us,” he said, looking over dinner guests who included former Sen. Bob Dole and Rep. Jim Leach, chairman of the House International Relations subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific.

Mr. Chen praised their work to craft the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, when the United States cut diplomatic ties to the country that is still formally known as the Republic of China.

President Carter recognized the communist regime of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing as the sole government of China but was forced through bipartisan congressional pressure to sign the Taiwan Relations Act. The measure created unofficial diplomatic ties with Washington and sent a strong message to Beijing that the United States would defend Taiwan against any communist aggression.

Taiwan at the time was under martial law and ruled by an authoritarian government, Mr. Chen noted at the dinner Wednesday. A quarter-century later, Taiwan is a thriving democracy, where presidential elections are strongly contested and fistfights sometimes break out in the legislature.

“Because of the TRA, Taiwan was transformed into a prosperous, affluent and free democratic country,” he said.

Mr. Dole, who was in his second term as a Republican senator from Kansas when the TRA passed, said, “Taiwan has exceeded expectations. … Our relations with Taiwan grow stronger and stronger.”

Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, a first-term House Democrat from Hawaii in 1979, said, “Taiwan needs to be recognized more than it is now. … I ask God’s blessing on Taiwan.”

Mr. Leach, Iowa Republican, said the recent presidential election, now in a recount, shows the “full flowering of democracy.” He was in his first term when he supported the Taiwan act.

Richard Stone, a former Democratic senator from Florida, referred to the “battle we had” with a Democratic White House to get a strong U.S. commitment to Taiwan. He predicted that Taiwan’s example might one day change China.

“If I had to bet about what might happen 25 years from now, I wouldn’t bet against that possibility taking place all through the mainland,” he said.

Apology to Manila

The ambassador of the Philippines, a key U.S. ally in the war on terrorism, was shocked when he heard that the Republican Party included his country in a list of nations that support terrorists.

Ambassador Albert del Rosario immediately complained to the State Department, the National Security Council, the Senate and House foreign relations committees and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The response was swift. Mr. Rosario last Friday learned that the committee included the Philippines among “countries that harbor and aid terrorists” on a survey called “Ask America 2004.” By Monday, an embarrassed Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds of New York, the committee chairman, called to apologize and take full responsibility for the mistake.

“We were concerned because of the danger that it might undermine the relationship between President [Gloria Macapagal] Arroyo and President Bush,” Mr. Rosario said.

Mrs. Arroyo supported the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, even though her decision was unpopular.

“Mister Reynolds said the U.S. government fully appreciates and salutes the Philippines government,” Mr. Rosario said, who added that his government in Manila accepted the apology.

The ambassador said he was “a little disturbed” when he learned of the survey but added, “In this job, you prepare yourself for any number of surprises.”

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison@washingtontimes.com.