Formosa Foundation

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen--
"Beijing may hold America's credit but Taipei holds America's heart."

On April 7, 2009, the Formosa Foundation hosted a roundtable featuring Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on the subject of US-Taiwan relations. The event was held at the Taiwan Center in Los Angeles.

IIeana, as she is popularly called by her friends and supporters, emphasized in her comments the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act. To reaffirm the TRA, the House Foreign Affairs Committee under Ros-Lehtinen's leadership passed resolutions last March to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the TRA as the "cornerstone" of US-Taiwan relations.

Ros-Lehtinen firmly believes that "there should be no pre-consultation with Beijing" when the TRA gives Congress a clear role in the provision of defensive weapons to Taiwan.

On Taiwan's young democracy, Ros-Lehtinen stated that Congress has an interest to ensure that Taiwan always clings to the path that further enhances human rights. "For only by staying on this straight and narrow path can Taiwan serve as a beacon of liberty for the imprisoned Chinese people across the narrow strait."

The Congresswoman also commented on the rumor that Beijing will offer a limted one-year observer status to Taiwan in the upcoming WHA annual meeting, as a "reward" for the recent thaw in cross-strait relations but also to keep Taipei on a short leash. "This would be an unacceptable affront to the poeple of Taiwan and their heath care needs. There should be no time limits on Taiwan's participation in the WHO."

"Now more than ever, we must ensure that our robust ties with the people of Taiwan are maintained and strengthened," Ros-Lehtinen concluded her remarks. "Beijing may hold America's credit. But Taiwn holds America's heart."

Ros-Lehtinen expressed concerned that William Stanton is rumored to be the State Department's next Director of AIT in Taipei. She urged the Taiwanese community to send messages to the Adminstration that they should have represenation from Washington whom they can fully trust.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) is the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which last March passed a Concurrent Resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. She is also a member of the Taiwan Caucus.