79-01-A4

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Taiwan III

Transcript In the first days following the December 15th announcement by Mr. Carter that we are abrogating our treaty with Taiwan, spokesmen for the administration and some pundits of the press declared we were simply recognizing a reality. After all, there are some 900 million Chinese on the mainland and only 17 million on Taiwan, so -- they said, it was foolish to pretend the government on Taiwan was the government of China. But isn't it just as foolish to pretend that the regime in Peking is the actual government of Taiwan? If we're going to put this on the basis of looking at reality, there are a few things we shouldn't overlook. The Peking regime -- once allied with the Soviet Union -- now sees the Russians as not being true to the principles of Karl Marx. Soldiers of the two great communist powers face each other across a long border and China proclaims Russia is an enemy and a threat to peace. But, in their speeches to their own comrades, Peking's leaders have repeatedly said we are an imperialist enemy which must eventually be destroyed. To their own people the Communist leaders explain that we aren't an immediate threat as is the Soviet Union, so first things first. And if they should ever decide we're Enemy Number One, not Number Two, they can do so with a clear conscience. They'll only be doing to us what we've done to Taiwan. With Congress back in session, there are thing we can do to lessen the damage that has been done. We don't have just one treaty or agreement with Taiwan. We have more than fifty. And Taiwan and we do nearly eight billion dollars' worth of business a year together. The President can say that all this will continue on a non-governmental basis, but that's impossible. Granted, he has the power to close our Taipei embassy and open one in Peking, but government representation by us in Taiwan and by the Republic of China here is essential. The same daily functions performed now by embassies and consulates must still be performed if we are to maintain trade and cultural relations. If the Chinese Communists could handle embassy functions in Washington by calling it a "liaison office" before January 1, why can't the Republic of China's embassy -- handling much more work -- be called a "liaison office" after January 1? Congress can make sure that those treaties and agreements remain in force and also that we really do provide the people of Taiwan with the arms they need to defend themselves. Your congressman needs to hear from you right now with regard to this.		Details Batch Number 79-01-A4 Production Date 01/??/1979 Book/Page RPtV-403 Audio Youtube? No
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