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Monday, Feb 26, 2001, Page 8

Unfortunately, "A life of commitment remembered" (Feb. 19, page 11) fails to consider, for example, that following the conversion of the "Pe-Po-Hoan" or Ping-pu Aborigines (平埔族), the convert's "... cast-off machinery of idolatry was brought [to his apartment], and more than once I dried my clothes before fires made of idolatrous paper, idols, and ancestral tablets. Three men were employed to carry other paraphernalia of idol-worship to the museum in Tamsui." [Pg. 219, From Far Formosa].

The artefacts in the Royal Ontario Museum's collection are thus the ones that escaped the pyres of George MacKay's arrogant missionary zeal. During this period, Mitsubishi ships carried Japanese troops for the 1874-75 attacks against the Paiwan First Nations.

Similarly in the 1870s, the newly independent Canadian government was busy signing fraudulent treaties and constructing under the "Indian Act" a totalitarian system of cultural destruction and social control for Canada's First Nations that was later to serve as an example for the apartheid system in South Africa.

Taiwan's and Canada's Aboriginal peoples continue to suffer severe poverty, cultural losses, high suicide rates, high unemployment rates, etc. When Canadian Aboriginal peoples stand up and resist this colonial legacy, the Canadian government resorts to violent aggression as it did at Oka, Gustafsen Lake, Stoney Point and most recently at Burnt Church.

Mitsubishi is busy destroying forests on lands belonging to the Lubicon Cree in Alberta, Canada. Indonesia smelts ore torn from the lands of Irian Jaya's Aboriginal peoples in partnership with the infamous Freeport-McMoRan.

So this partnership of the Taiwan government, Canadian Government's CTOT and the Shung Ye Group, a major Mitsubishi affiliate, is actually very appropriate given their shared traditions of violence and genocide against Aboriginal peoples.

George MacKay's contributions to Taiwan must be balanced by recognition of his colonial motivations and blatant prejudices. However, no proper understanding of MacKay or Taiwan's Aboriginal history can be had as long as these are distorted and manipulated for PR purposes by the likes of the Taiwan government, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei and the Shung Ye Group's Museum.

Mark Munsterhjelm

Sanchung City

One tough job

About a year ago, many Taiwanese were ecstatic about Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁)'s stunning victory in the presidential election. During his inauguration, President Chen echoed Lee Yuan-tseh's (李遠哲) appeal by making a speech titled "Taiwan Stands Up."

However, his defeated rivals, James Soong (宋楚瑜) and Lian Chan (連戰) both shunned the inauguration by going abroad. Many felt the omen of the coming political vendetta in Taiwan.

The omen came true. The KMT, PFP nad New Party proved too much for Chen to bear. Chen did not and could not stand up. He could not stick to his principles and promises -- he fumbled and caved in,although today's chaos might not be any different had he remained determined.

The heads of many Taiwan government branches may have changed, but the KMT remains an overwhelming political force with its control of the Legislative Yuan.

With KMT assets estimated at around NT$80 billion and its influences in agriculture and fishermen's associations, the KMT is still a mighty factor in Taiwan's political arena.

However, these are not excuses for Chen -- he took both the glory and the challenges.

This is neither a time for Chen's supporters to desert him unless they want to see a Soong (宋) or Ma (馬) presidency. Instead, Chen should learn his lesson; he is not dealing with civil and rational opposition parties.

He should hold to his base, appeal to the middle and win the next legislative election for his party. Taiwan's current situation requires a coalition or a majority for a government to function at all. Chen's job is incredibly tough. However, nobody said it was going to be easy.

Yang Ji-charng

Columbus, Ohio
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