President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush:
I am writing to appeal to you to reaffirm America's support for freedom and democracy in Taiwan. In the wake of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the United States, many Taiwanese Americans, like myself, have been alarmed by the blame mistakenly placed on Taiwan for upsetting the status quo across the Taiwan Straits.
The fact is, the status quo is constantly being destabilized to the detriment of Taiwan as China adds dozens of missiles targeting the island nation each year. This is merely one of the many tactics China employs to coerce Taiwan into submitting to Chinese annexation. Taiwan is a burgeoning democratic country. In contrast, China is a dictatorial Communist state. Permitting a dictatorship to conquer a democracy is contrary to America's belief in freedom and democracy and harmful to U.S. national interests. You have been advocating the spread of democracy to the Middle East and beyond. Surely it would be equally important to preserve Taiwan's hard-won democracy.
Therefore, I request that you call on China to withdraw all its missiles aimed at Taiwan and to renounce the use of force against Taiwan. Such a call is in fact the substance of the defensive referendum that Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian recently proposed. The referendum would allow the people of Taiwan to express their wish to be free from Chinese intimidation. America, whose democratic ideals Taiwan emulates, should endorse this most basic exercise in democracy and dissuade China from threatening war. Consequently, I further request that you support the defensive referendum in Taiwan and reject China's interference.
In April 2001, you stated that the United States would do whatever it takes to help Taiwan defend itself. I am grateful for your strong commitment to Taiwan. I hope you will reaffirm your resolve by responding to my petitions to you. Thank you very much for your attention.
Sincerely yours,
Signature: __________________________ Name (Print): _______________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________________________________________________