Resolved, That the United States as a permanent member of the Security Council request that the Secretary General of the United Nations consult member nations with respect to the designation of the permanent Security Council seat now occupied by the Republic of China as a permanent Asian seat to be occupied by such Asian countries as the membership may at regular intervals determine. [S. Res. 18, 92d Cong., first sess.] AMENDMENT Intended to be proposed by Mr. GRAVEL to S. Res. 18, a resolution relative to a new United States-China policy; viz: On Page 3, line 3, delete the last two paragraphs and insert the following: Resolved, That the United States introduce in the twenty-sixth United Nations General Assembly a draft resolution proposing that the People's Republic of China be admitted to membership in the United Nations and all organizations related to it and that the United States should not seek to oppose, as a permanent member of the Security Council, a determination by the United Nations membership and the United Nations Secretariat with respect to the occupancy of the permanent Chinese seat in the Security Council. Hon. J. W. FULBRIGHT, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Secretary has asked me to reply to your letter of February 2, 1971 requesting coordinated Executive Branch comments on Senate Resolution 18, "Relative to a new United States-China policy," introduced by Senator Gravel. The first operative paragraph of Senator Gravel's resolution refers to the problem of the status of Taiwan and its relation to the mainland. We recognize the Government of the Republic of China as legitimately occupying and exercising jurisdiction over Taiwan and the Pescadores from the time when, pursuant to a directive of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, its forces accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces there. Under the terms of the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1954 with the Republic of China, our government undertook to act, in accordance with our constitutional processes, to meet an armed attack against Taiwan and the Pescadores. In his February 1971 foreign policy report, President Nixon pointed out that our efforts to establish a dialogue with the People's Republic of China will not be at the expense of our treaty commitments to the security of our Asian allies, including the Republic of China. As for the future relationship of Taiwan to mainland China and the resolution of disputes dividing the governments in Taipei and Peking, these are issues that the United States cannot hope to resolve and we have made clear that our primary concern is that these problems should be resolved peacefully. Both Peking and Taipei probably would resent any suggestions by the United States as to the means by which such a resolution might be brought about. As Secretary Rogers has indicated in several statements to the press, our policy regarding Chinese representation in the United Nations currently is undergoing an extensive, high-level review within the Executive Branch. No decisions have yet been made, and we would appreciate an opportunity to comment further on some of the points raised in Senator Gravel's resolution after that review has been completed. In the meantime there are several comments we can offer which may be helpful to your Committee's consideration of the operative paragraphs of the resolution dealing with the United Nations. We are aware that there is much sentiment in the United Nations in favor of the admission of Peking. However, we have no indication that Peking has ceased its insistence on the expulsion of the Republic of China as a precondition for its entry. In his recent report to the Congress on United States Foreign Policy for the 1970's, the President made clear that the United States is "prepared to see the Peoples Republic of China play a constructive role in the family of nations." He emphasized, however, that we will continue to oppose efforts to deprive the Republic of China of a place as a member of the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies. Senator Gravel's resolution originally called for designating as an Asian seat the place on the Security Council now occupied by the Republic of China. This, of course, could not be done by the Secretary General or by General Assembly resolution but would require Charter amendment which requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the General Assembly and subsequent ratification by two-thirds of the members of the United Nations, including the five permanent members of the Security Council. We understand that Senator Gravel has amended his resolution by deleting its last two paragraphs and substituting the following: Resolved, That the United States introduce in the twenty-sixth United Nations General Assembly a draft resolution proposing that the People's Republic of China be admitted to membership in the United Nations and all organizations related to it and that the United States should not seek to oppose, as a permanent member of the Security Council, a determination by the UN membership and the UN secretariat with respect to the occupancy of the permanent Chinese seat in the Security Council. The only substantive change deals with the Security Council. As stated above our policy regarding Chinese representation is undergoing a high level review and no decisions have been taken yet. As for recommendations by the General Assembly and the Secretariat we would have to decide our position on the basis of their substance and we could not commit ourselves in advance. The Office of Management and Budget advises that from the standpoint of the Administration's program there is no objection to the submission of this report. Sincerely yours, DAVID M. ABSHIRE, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations. [S. Res. 37, 92d Cong., first sess.] RESOLUTION To express the sense of the Senate relative to the relations between the United States and the Peoples Republic of China Whereas it is the declared policy of the United States to seek a normalization of relations with the Peoples Republic of China on the mainland; and Whereas it is important to the prospects for world peace and prosperity that the world's most populous nation should be integrated peacefully into the community of nations: Therefore be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that United States policy should seek further relaxation of tensions between the United States and the Peoples Republic of China through additional measures to promote the expansion of trade and cultural and scientific exchange, and relaxation of travel restrictions, with a view toward the establishment of diplomatic relations when conditions permit. It is further the sense of the Senate that the policy of the United States respecting the question of Chinese representation in the United Nations should be one which encourages a greater universality of membership and participation. Accordingly, United States policy should not oppose the admission of the Peoples Republic of China to the United Nations, while not accepting as a condition of such membership the expulsion from membership of the Republic of China. It is further the sense of the Senate that this policy should be pursued without prejudice to the legal position of the United States respecting the ultimate disposition of the question of sovereignty over the island of Taiwan, a question on which the United States, as a liberating power in World War II, has reserved its legal position since 1950. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, D.C., July 6, 1971. Hon. J. W. FULBRIGHT, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Secretary has asked me to reply to your letter of February 5, 1971 requesting coordinated Executive Branch comments on Senate Resolution 37, "To express the sense of the Senate relative to the relations between the United States and the Peoples Republic of China," introduced by Senator Javits. The first operative paragraph of the resolution urges that we seek an expansion of trade and cultural and scientific exchanges with mainland China. In his recent report to the Congress on "United States Foreign Policy for the 1970's" the President stated that "In the coming year I will examine carefully what further steps we might take to create broader opportunities for contacts between the Chinese and American peoples, and how we might remove needless obstacles to the realization of these opportunities." The President added that "We will hope for, but will not be deterred by a lack of, reciprocity." On April 14 the President announced that he would authorize certain nonstrategic direct trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China as part of his policy of removing needless barriers to contacts between the American and Chinese peoples. On June 10 the President announced the termination of the embargo on trade with the PRC imposed in 1950 and the publication of a general license list for exports to mainland China as well as authorization of imports from the PRC. He also stated that other items would be kept under review for subsequent addition to the general license list for export to the PRC and that items not on the list could be considered for special license on a case-by-case basis. This general license list was compiled with reference to the technological level of the PRC, and items omitted are those which we want to study further as regards their possible strategic significance for the PRC. This is the first time since 1950 that direct trade has been permitted between mainland China and the United States, although foreign subsidiaries of American firms have been permitted to trade with the PRC in nonstråtegic goods since December 1969, and certain American-made components to be incorporated in foreign-made commodities have been authorized under Department of Commerce review procedure for export to mainland China since April 1970. As you are aware, as a result of action taken by the Department of State subsequent to the President's foreign policy report, there is now no restriction on the use of a United States passport to travel to the People's Republic of China. Recently the United States Table Tennis Team visited the People's Republic of China in response to an invitation from the Chinese team. As a Department of State spokesman has said, we view this invitation and its acceptance as a favorable development in line with the President's desire that there be increased contact between American and Chinese people. Peking then and since has allowed a number of U.S. newsmen and scholars to enter the PRC and has indicated acceptance of an invitation from the United States Table Tennis Association for a visit to this country by a team from the PRC. The second operative paragraph of the resolution deals with the difficult problem of Chinese representation in the United Nations. Our policy on this matter is undergoing an extensive, high-level review within the Executive Branch. No decisions have been made yet, and we would appreciate an opportunity to comment further after the review has been completed. In the meantime, it is appropriate to note that in his foreign policy report the President made clear that "the United States is prepared to see the People's Republic of China play a constructive role in the family of nations." The President emphasized, however, that we will continue to oppose efforts to deprive the Republic of China of a place as a member of the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies. The third operative paragraph of the resolution correctly states that since 1950 the United States has reserved its position on the question of sovereignty over Taiwan. In the Japanese Peace Treaty of 1951, Japan renounced "all right, title and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores." The same language was repeated in the peace treaty between Japan and the Republic of China the following year. In neither treaty, however, did Japan cede this territory to any particular entity. We recognize the Government of the Republic of China as legitimately occupying and exercising jurisdiction over Taiwan and the Pescadores from the time when pursuant to a directive, from the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, its forces accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces there. The Office of Management and Budget advises that from the standpoint of the Administration's program there is no objection to the submission of this report. Sincerely yours, DAVID M. ABSHIRE, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations. [S. Res. 82, 92d Cong., First Sess.] RESOLUTION To express the sense of the Senate regarding the policy of the United States toward the Peoples' Republic of China Whereas it is vital to international peace and prosperity that the Peoples' Republic of China, the world's most populous nation, assume its rightful place in the community of nations, and Whereas it is the declared policy of the United States to seek normalization of relations with the Peoples' Republic of China: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate, at the next meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the United States should support a resolution acknowledging the fact that the Peoples' Republic of China is the sole representative of China in the General Assembly, the Security Council, and all other organs of the United Nations. It is further the sense of the Senate that the President of the United States should seek negotiations toward the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Peoples' Republic of China, and should announce that the United States is prepared, through such negotiations, to recognize the Peoples' Republic as the sole legitimate government of China, leaving the future status of Taiwan to a peaceful resolution by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. It is further the sense of the Senate that the United States should seek to eliminate Sino-American tensions by placing trade with China on the same basis as trade with the Soviet Union, by inviting scientsts, scholars, officials, journalists, artists, and other persons from China to visit the United States, and by removing existing restrictions upon American travel to China and Chinese travel to the United States. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Hon. J. W. FULBRIGHT, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Secretary has asked me to reply to your letter of March 31, 1971 requesting coordinated Executive Branch comments on Senate Resolution 82, "To express the sense of the Senate regarding the policy of the United States toward the People's Republic of China," introduced by Senator McGovern. The first operative paragraph of the resolution deals with the difficult problem of Chinese representation in the United Nations. Our policy on this matter is undergoing an extensive, high-level review within the Executive Branch. No decisions have been made yet, and we would appreciate an opportunity to comment further after the review has been completed. In the meantime, I should note that in his foreign policy report the President made clear that "the United States is prépared to see the Peoples' Republic of China play a constructive role in the family of nations." The President emphasized, however, that we will continue to oppose efforts to deprive the Republic of China of a place as a member of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. The second operative paragraph of the resolution deals with the recognition of the People's Republic of China and the establishment of diplomatic relations with it. Peking's basic position is that relations with the United States cannot improve so long as we continue what it characterizes as our "occupation" of Taiwan, which it refers to as a "province" of China and over which it claims Sovereignty. Peking alleges that our "occupation" of Taiwan constitutes interference in China's "internal affairs." Peking has also claimed that our treaty commitment to the Republic of China to assist in the defense of Taiwan and the Pescadores is illegal. With respect to recognition, Peking's position is that countries entering into diplomatic relations with it must sever diplomatic relations with the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan. The attitude of the People's Republic of China on these points seems to indicate that it would insist that we meet its position on these points and specifically, that the United States break diplomatic relations with the Government of the Republic of China. This we cannot agree to do. The third operative paragraph of the resolution urges that we reduce restrictions on trade and travel to, and that we seek cultural and scientific exchanges with, mainland China. In his recent foreign policy report the President stated that "In the coming year I will examine carefully what further steps we might take to create broader opportunities for contacts between the Chinese and American peoples, and how we might remove needless obstacles to the realization of these opportunities." The President added that "We will hope for, but will not be deterred by a lack of, reciprocity." On April 14 the President announced that he would authorize certain nonstrategic direct trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China as part of his policy of removing needless barriers to contacts between the American and Chinese peoples. On June 10 the President announced the termination of the embargo on trade with the PRC imposed in 1950 and the publication of a general license list for exports to mainland China as well as authorization of imports from the PRC. He also stated that other items would be kept under review for subsequent addition to the general license list for export to the PRC and that items not on the list could be considered for special license on a case-by-case basis. This general license list was compiled with reference to the technological level of the PRC, and items omitted are those which we want to study further as regards their possible strategic significance for the PRC. This is the first time since 1950 that direct trade has been permitted between mainalnd China and the United States, although foreign subsidiaries of American firms have been permitted to trade wiht the PRC in nonstrategic goods since December 1969, and certain American-made components to be incorporated in foreign-made commodities have been authorized under Department of Commerce review procedure for export to mainland China since April 1970. As you are aware, as a result of action taken by the Department of State subsequent to the President's foreign policy report, there is now no restriction on the use of a United States passport to travel to the People's Republic of China. Recently the United States Table Tennis Team visited the People's Republic of China in response to an invitation from the Chinese team. As a Department of State spokesman has said, we view this invitation and its acceptance as a favorable development in line with the President's desire that there be increased contact between American and Chinese people. Peking then and since has allowed a number of US newsmen and scholars to enter the PRC and has indicated acceptance of an invitation from the United States Table Tennis Association for a visit to this country by a team from the PRC. The Office of Management and Budget advises that from the standpoint of the Administration's program there is no objection to the submission of this report. Sincerely yours, DAVID M. ABSHIRE, [S. Res. 139, 92d Cong., first sess.] RESOLUTION Relating to the representation in the United Nations of the People's Republic of China Resolved, That the Senate declares: (1) that the People's Republic of China should be granted its legitimate seat in all principal and subsidiary organs of the United Nations as the sole government of China: (2) that the United States should make no effort to impose a formula for dual representation by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the United Nations without the prior agreement of those two governments to such a formula; (3) that the future status of Taiwan and the future status of relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China are complex issues requiring time, negotiation, and accommodation to resolve: and (4) that pending the resolution of these issues, the People's Republic of China should be granted its legitimate place in the United Nations. |