Dear Mrs. Madeleine Korbel Albright,
　　 Mr. Secretary-General Javier Solana,
　　 Mr. Trent Lott,
　　 Mr. Denny Hastert,
　　 Mr. Senator Jesse Helms,
　　 Mr. Representative Christopher H. Smith,
　　 Mr. Representative Dana Rohrabacher,
　　 Mr. Representative David Wu,
　　 Mr. Representative Michael Bilirakis,
　　 Mr. Representative Michael R. McNulty,
　　 Mr. Representative Peter Deutsch,
　　 Mr. Representative Robert E. Andrews,

We worried about that the long-range missile that North Korea intends to test is a Taepodong-2 which has a range of up to 3,750 miles, making it capable theoretically of reaching Alaska or Hawaii, the officials said. The new rocket is an advanced version of the Taepodong-1, which North Korea fired over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean in August, raising fear across the region. That rockers has a range of 1,250 miles.

North Korea has remained defiant in the face of the warnings, vowing to continue its missile program, which it said is a matter of national sovereignty. "We will go straight, guide by our faith and decision, no matter what others may say," North Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by its foreign new service, the Korean Central News Agency.

Meanwhile, China banned a popular meditation sect yesterday (July 22, 1999) after three days of massive protests intensifying a crackdown on a group viewed by Chinese leaders as a threat to their rule state media accused Falun Gong of spreading "superstitious, evil thinking" to undermine social stability.

The announcement came after three days of protests by as many as 30,000 people in dozens of Chinese cities over arrest of some 70 leading sect members. Chinese leaders have regarded Falun Gong with suspicious since more than 10,000 member gathered April 25 in a silent, daylong protest around the compound in central Beijing where President Jiang Zemin and other Chinese leaders live and work.

Since July 4, 1776, the U.S. has been a leader of the free world and the dreamland of many people. This achievement is the result of not only the economic and military power of the U.S., but also the spirit of pursuing liberty, equality and democracy.

As "the Declaration of Independence" states: "we hold these truth to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that among these are life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness." We appreciate the insistence of the Clinton administration that the Taiwan issue must be resolved through peaceful means.

Furthermore, Taiwan as a self-governing state is entitled to participate in international organizations, including the United Nations. We urge the Clinton administration, the heir of the 1776 government, to respect the right of the Taiwanese people in determining their own future.

Taiwan needs your support!