S.J.R. 2

1

JOINT RESOLUTION ON TAIWAN
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
5 House Sponsor: Brad J. Galvez
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the Obama Administration to take specific
10 action to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the United Nations and to
11 support sales of F-16 C/D series fighter jets to Taiwan.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . urges the Obama Administration to support Taiwan's meaningful participation as an
15 observer in the United Nations' specialized agencies, programs, and conventions;
16 and
17 . urges the Obama Administration to support sales of F-16 C/D series fighter jets to
18 the government of Taiwan to upgrade its air defense capacity.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
21
22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 WHEREAS, in May 2009, Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Organization raised
24 the possibility for Taiwan to be meaningfully involved in other United Nations' agencies,
25 programs, and conventions;
26 WHEREAS, the rules of the International Civil Aviation Organization have allowed for
27 the meaningful participation of noncontracting nations as well as other bodies in its meetings

28 and activities through granting of observer status;
29 WHEREAS, the United States arms sales to Taiwan are guided by the 1979 Taiwan
30 Relations Act, which calls for the United States to provide defense weaponry to Taiwan and to
31 prevent the forcible invasion of Taiwan by China;
32 WHEREAS, the approved sales of the F-16 A/B upgrade package to Taiwan in 2011
33 cannot address the increasing military imbalance between Taiwan and China;
34 WHEREAS, successive reports issued by the United States and Taiwanese defense
35 authorities indicate that Taiwan continues to face threats, including the continued military
36 buildup by China;
37 WHEREAS, as an example, Beijing has more than 2,000 missiles aimed at Taiwan and
38 continues to add to this number;
39 WHEREAS, China is also forging ahead and deploying next generation military
40 technology;
41 WHEREAS, Taiwan's F-16 A/B Mirage and Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) fleets
42 are outdated;
43 WHEREAS, Taiwan's failure to obtain advanced fighters severely weakens its air
44 defense capacity;
45 WHEREAS, concern has been raised from military experts that Taiwan is losing its
46 qualitative advantage in defensive arms, which has long served as its primary military
47 deterrent;
48 WHEREAS, the sale of F-16 C/D fighters can make Taiwan a force multiplier and give
49 a boost to the United States' "anti-access" and "air-sea battle" plans; and
50 WHEREAS, the F-16 C/D arms sale would yield approximately $5 billion, plus the
51 accrued follow-up maintenance costs, to the United States, supporting at least 10,000 direct
52 jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs in more than 40 states in the United States:
53 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
54 urges the Obama Administration to support Taiwan's meaningful participation as an observer in
55 the United Nations' specialized agencies, programs, and conventions.
56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the Obama Administration to
57 support sales of F-16 C/D series fighter jets to the government of Taiwan to upgrade its air
58 defense capacity.

59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the president of
60 the United States, the government of Taiwan, and the members of Utah's congressional
61 delegation.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-30-12 3:23 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel