美參議員提「台灣保證法案」

【Comment】

比較令人注意的是：

•     Directs the Secretary of Defense to make efforts to include Taiwan in bilateral and multilateral military training exercises.（致力於雙邊或多邊軍事訓練演習）

•     Requires that a flag or general officer serve as the U.S. defense attaché in Taipei.（在AIT派駐將級軍官，或艦隊指揮官作為武官）

美參議員提「台灣保證法案」宣示不容許台灣被侵略    自由 20190327

美國民主、共和黨多名參議員，包括柯頓（Tom Cotton）、梅南德茲（Robert Menendez）、魯比歐（Marco Rubio）、克魯茲（Ted Cruz）、馬斯托（Catherine Cortez Masto）、庫恩斯（Chris Coons）等人提案了「台灣保證法」（Taiwan Assurance Act） ，以加強台美關係，支持台灣參與國際社會。

柯頓發布新聞稿表示，台灣是美國重要的民主夥伴，台灣保證法是為了加深彼此在雙邊安全、經濟、文化上的交流，並告訴中國，兩岸侵略行為無法被容忍。

梅南德茲則說，見證台灣蓬勃發展的民主是他議員生涯最自豪的時刻之一，在台灣關係法40週年之際，美國國會必須表達出對維護台灣外交空間的重視。

台灣保證法將透過下列方式加強台美關係，像是要求總統審查國務院關於台美關係的方針、國防部長將台灣納入雙邊或多邊軍事演練、要求現役海軍官員擔任台灣美國國防專員、繼續主張台灣有意義地參加國際組織，表達國會對台灣不對稱防衛戰略及美國對台售軍、重啟台美雙邊貿易談判。

Cotton, Menendez, and Colleagues Introduce Taiwan Assurance Act    Tom Cotton 20190326

Washington, D.C.  - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Senators Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), and Chris Coons (D-Delaware), introduced the Taiwan Assurance Act, legislation that would enhance the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and bolster Taiwan's participation in the international community.

"Taiwan is a vital democratic partner of the United States.  40 years after the Taiwan Relations Act was signed into law, our bilateral ties should reflect this reality.  This legislation would deepen bilateral security, economic, and cultural relations, while also sending a message that China's aggressive cross-Strait behavior will not be tolerated," said Cotton.

"Bearing witness to Taiwan's flourishing democracy has been one of my proudest moments as a Member of Congress," said Menendez.  "As we mark the fortieth anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, it is critical that Congress speak with one voice about the importance of maintaining Taiwan's diplomatic space, deepening our ties with Taipei, and assuring the people of Taiwan have a voice in determining their own future."

"The United States must continue to enhance our strategic relationship with Taiwan against an increasingly aggressive China," said Rubio.  "Taiwan is an important democratic partner whose security is critical to advancing America's national security interests in the Indo-Pacific."

"Taiwan's vibrant democracy and thriving economy are an example for the entire Indo-Pacific," said Coons.  "As we near the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, this bill is an important signal of the enduring friendship between the United States and the people of Taiwan."

Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) plans to introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The Taiwan Assurance Act will enhance the U.S.-Taiwan relationship in the following ways:

• Mandates that the president conduct a review of the State Department's guidelines on U.S. relations with Taiwan.
• Directs the Secretary of Defense to make efforts to include Taiwan in bilateral and multilateral military training exercises.
• Requires that a flag or general officer serve as the U.S. defense attaché in Taipei.
• States that the United States will continue to advocate for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations.
• Expresses Congressional support for Taiwan's asymmetric defense strategy, regular U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, and the resumption of bilateral trade talks between the United States and Taiwan.