CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E 2293 HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN
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December 5, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E 2293 evolving relationship, which we hope will be- rope. While no Russian leader has publicly THE ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO come a crucial element of the emerging Eu- endorsed NATO's enlargement, senior offi- SUPPORT TAIWAN ropean security architecture. This is not to cialsÐincluding President YeltsinÐhave re- suggest that NATO-Russia relations are peatedly acknowledged the importance of without strain. As you note, Russian offi- HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN partnership with NATO and the West. cials have objected to NATO actions in the OF NEW YORK former Yugoslavia, asserting that the Alli- Thus, in policy-level discussions with the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ance acted without properly consulting other Russians we will continue to state clearly Tuesday, December 5, 1995 interested states. While we reject such con- that NATO is willing to go the extra mile in tentionsÐNATO acted under a clear UN Se- developing an effective partnership with Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, recently A.M. curity Council mandateÐthe fact remains Russia, that the Alliance's eventual enlarge- Rosenthal of the New York Times wrote two that many Russians perceive themselves and ment is not aimed against Russia or any thought provoking articles regarding Taiwan. their country as having been marginalized. He points out how the administration's appar- Similarly, President Yeltsin and other senior other state, and that Moscow's interests would not be served by repudiating the still- ent weakness in supporting our democratic Russian officials have voiced serious con- friends there plays into the hands of the dic- cerns about NATO's enlargement, often in evolving NATO-Russian relationship (or any quite stark terms. arms control agreements) because of NATO tators in Beijing. Although Moscow's opposition to NATO expansion. We will also continue to monitor There are a number of territorial disputes in enlargement is often based on carefully reports of undue Russian pressure Asia. One of the most contentious is the own- misperceptions, we nevertheless recognize on neighboring states to create new military ership and future of the island of Taiwan. that these arguments must be addressed. blocs, as well as reports of Russian plans for Regretably, short of an early collapse of the Similarly, Russian concerns about their dictatorship in Beijing, the 45-year-old stale- stature in European affairs are real, but our military responses to NATO's enlargement. As necessary, we will make clear that such mate over the issue shows no signs of an im- bilateral discussionsÐmost recently at Hyde mediate resolution. ParkÐhave made clear that both sides re- moves would only isolate Russia, impeding main committed to promoting Russia's inte- its further integration into the European Taiwan is a free democracy. A nation where gration into key Western structures. The mainstream. people can express their thoughts and prac- tice their religious beliefs. Through the long Russian leadership understands that altering Our demonstrated commitment to partner- or otherwise slowing this course would only years it has remained a loyal friend and stead- ship and cooperation has already alleviated isolate Russia and hinder reform at home. fast ally of the United States. The Republic of While we must be careful neither to under- some of the fears and concerns expressed by China is one of Asia's economic miracles fea- estimate nor exaggerate the importance of Russian officials. For example, our active ef- turing a strong and growing economy with less European security matters in Russian do- fort to involve the Russians in the imple- than 1-percent unemployment. From our per- mentation of a Bosnian peace settlement has mestic politics, Russian views will continue spective this is the type of free and democratic to evolve and we must be prepared for a demonstrated we do not want to go it alone. lengthyÐand sometimes heatedÐdialogue Instead, we have engaged in an intensive, on- society we need to support in the region and with the Russian government. going dialogue with the Russians on this sen- around the world. On the other hand we have To put the broader issue of NATO-Russia sitive issue, most recently between President the People's Republic of China. The Beijing relations in context, you should recall that Clinton and president Yeltsin on October 23 leadership has repeatedly proven itself over the Alliance has engaged in a concerted ef- and between Secretary of Defense Perry and the years to be an oppressive dictatorship with fort to develop a close, cooperative partner- Minister of Defense Grachev on November 8. little regard for human and religious rights, ship with the new Russia. Even before the While we will not compromise on the abso- much less political freedom. Its military fought break-up of the Soviet Union, NATO had lute need for an effective, NATO-led oper- against ours in Korea, supported the Com- sought to establish productive, non-adversar- ation, if we are ultimately able to settle on ial relations with Moscow. With the dissolu- munists in North Vietnam, and currently ships tion of both the Warsaw Pact and the USSR, a workable arrangement for Russian engage- weapons of mass destruction to terrorist na- NATO created the North Atlantic Coopera- ment we will have helped assuage Russian tions in the Middle East. tion Council and the Russian Federation be- concerns that NATO is only interested in For the past 10 years whenever an effort came one of its first members. This consult- marginalizing Moscow. was attempted by the Congress to respond to ative arrangement set the stage for the es- In your final question you ask how the Beijing's egregious behavior we were told, that tablishment early last year of the Partner- statements ``We have agreed that construc- there is a political transition period underway ship for Peace, which Russia joined in June tive, cooperative relations of mutual respect, in China and if we took any substantive action 1994. Within PFP, Russia has had the oppor- benefit and friendship between the Alliance we would be strengthening the hands of the tunity to engage directly with the Alliance and Russia are a key element for security to develop the capability of working with hardliners. NATO in support of common interests and and stability in Europe'' and ``NATO deci- And so for the last decade, whenever the goals in Europe. sions, however, cannot be subject to any veto Congress attempted to respond to China's ex- Moreover, under the ``Beyond PFP'' ar- or droit de regard by a non-member port of products made by slave labor, we were rangement approved this past May, NATO state . .'' can be reconciled. But these told by the State Department to back off. and Russia have agreed to take their rela- statements are not, in fact, contradictory. When we raised the issue of the Com- tionship a step further in terms of consulta- Notwithstanding NATO's approach to en- munist's repression of religious and political tions and active cooperation. Finally, as you largement, the Alliance has a strategic in- thought, the State Department told us that note in your letter, the Alliance has offered terest in seeking constructive, cooperative economic liberalization will bring about political to develop a ``political framework'' for fu- relations with Russia. The fact that we are ture NATO-Russia relations. As we envision pluralism. it, in the near term NATO and Russia would actively planning to expand simply means Accordingly, Beijing has never paid a price agree on the basic principles which would that the enhanced Russian-NATO relation- for its unfair trade practices, arms proliferation, guide the relationship well into the 21st cen- ship will be with a larger NATO. We will lis- repression in occupied Tibet, massive military tury; NATO has already tabled a draftÐ ten to Russia's concerns about enlargement buildup, the recent aggression in the Spratly which draws heavily on existing documents just as we listen to the thoughts of our other Islands, its disregard for intellectual property and agreementsÐfor Russia's consideration. partners; their views will be taken into con- rights, its illegal detention of Harry Wu, an Once the final principles are hammered out, sideration and will certainly influence our American citizen, and its threatening military we would work together to turn them into a thinking. But influence and a veto are two exercise off the cost of Taiwan. On the con- more formal, long-term understanding that quite different things; neither Russia nor would facilitate NATO-Russian cooperation. trary, the State Department believes that we Russia, therefore, already has a quite sig- any other non-member will have a veto over need to further soften our approach to Beijing. nificant relationship with NATO. The key Alliance membership (or any other) deci- I am all for working peacefully and negotiat- determinant in how our relations develop sions. ing quietly with the Chinese. But time and time will be Russia's implementation of the var- Thank you for the opportunity to respond again, the State Department has failed to ious partnership mechanisms now available. to your thoughtful questions. We look for- bring home the bacon. Constructive engage- This is an ongoing, evolutionary process, ward to continuing our exchange as the Alli- ment cannot be just a one way endeavor. The which will certainly be affected to some de- ance moves closer to enlargement and as State Department needs to recognize this and gree by the domestic political climate in Russia. We remain convinced, however, that NATO-Russian relations continue to develop. adjust its course. Russian government will recognize that it is Sincerely, Considering all these facts, the Congress is to Moscow's advantage to develop and main- WENDY R.