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President says he supports treaty

President Chen Shui-bian shares a toast with a member of the Saejiq tribe during a ceremony yesterday where Chen reaffirmed his commitment to honor a treaty he signed with the nation's Aborigines two and a half years ago. PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday reaffirmed his commitment to honor the treaty he had signed two and a half years ago with the nation's Aborigines.

The treaty, called "A New Partnership Between the Indigenous Peoples and the Government of Taiwan," was signed in 1999 by Chen and 11 Aboriginal representatives during a presidential campaign stop on Orchid Island. The agreement is a de facto call for Aboriginal autonomy.

"I hereby reaffirm that Aborigines play a vital role in Taiwan's sustainable development," Chen told an audience of Aborigines yesterday at a ceremony supporting treaty. "If there weren't Aboriginal people, there wouldn't be Taiwanese today," he said.

During the ceremony, Chen conducted symbolic exchanges with 12 Aboriginal tribal representatives to reaffirm the pact.

The Amis tribe presented Chen with a sword to symbolize the group's renouncement of war. The Bunun tribe presented a rifle and the Tsou tribe a broken arrow.

Symbolizing friendship and goodwill, Chen was presented with a kettle from the Paiwan tribe, a betel nut from the Puyuma tribe, an oar from the Thao tribe and a stone from the Atayal and Truko tribes. A hug came from the Rukai tribe and an oral promise from the Tao tribe. The president also shared a drink with the Saisiat and Saejiq tribes.

The Atayal, Tao (Yami), Paiwan, Bunun, Puyuma, Thao, Rukai, Saisiat, Tsou and Amis are the 10 recognized Aboriginal tribes in Taiwan.

"[Since becoming president] I have not forgotten everyone and my promises made to you," Chen said. "Although many of the articles have yet to be realized, as they take time and thorough review before implementation, I am determined to fulfill the goals stated in the treaty."

The treaty aims to promote Aboriginal autonomy and the return of land. The treaty also says that an Aboriginal Congress, consisting solely of Aboriginal representatives, should be established to handle matters related to Aboriginal rights and autonomy.

Other rights, such as the rights to resources and land ownership, are also covered in the treaty.

At the ceremony, Chen stressed that, because the government and Aborigines are partners, the government would not make decisions on Aboriginal affairs without the consent of Aborigines.

"Because we are in a partnership, the government wants to express its utmost respect to Aborigines for their continuous drive for autonomy," Chen said.

Stressing the government's commitment to Aborigines' sustainable development, Chen said that his dedication to the pact echoes a call made at the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development last month in Johannesburg, South Africa. Delegates at the summit reaffirmed the role of Aborigines to the world's sustainable development.
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