President Carter’s decision to “normalize” relations with Red China has prompted a spate of legislation designed to counter his initiative and provide assurances to the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Most lawmakers are willing to concede that the Executive has authority to extend or withdraw diplomatic recognition and thus are not contesting the exchange of ambassadors with Peking. They are contesting the Administration’s readiness to establish dealings with the Communists on terms dictated by them: renunciation of our Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan, withdrawal of U.S. forces from the island, and stipulation that Taiwan belongs to Communist China and may be dealt with as the Communists see fit.
Comments