I would like to thank the Taipei Times for its contribution to the struggle against trivializing the horrors of the Holocaust and the misuse of war-crimes to promote commercial interests, such as the case last week of the Jail Restaurant in Taipei. Since we have recently witnessed a number of cases in which Holocaust motifs were misused, one would expect an immediate outcry from scholars and the media that would contribute to the efforts to prevent such cases from happening again. But this did not happen. A leading local newspaper chose to ignore the Jail completely even though it attracted local and international attention. Another reported on the events in a light and humorous manner in its entertainment section and in this way we all lost an opportunity to make a point. Are universal values and the battle against racism, xenophobia, genocide and human suffering not worthy of response? The misuse of the Holocaust events in Taiwan is an educational issue which demonstrates the need to enhance the knowledge and understanding of what happened in those terrible years of Nazi Germany (1939-1945). The Taiwanese are aware of the atrocities committed by the Japanese in that period but not of the systematic extermination of six million Jews during the Holocaust. The question is how to change this situation? The Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei will suggest to educational, cultural and university authorities that they join in showing an exhibition on the Holocaust and to organize a seminar with the participation of Israeli and international experts. Additionally we will suggest that the Ministry of Education insert a lesson on the Holocaust into the school curriculum. The purpose of these activities will be to deepen the understanding and the knowledge of what occurred during those terrible years. We should all learn from the horrors of the past, so that such events do not repeat themselves.
Uri Gutman
Representative
Israel Economic and Cultural Office
Taipei
Vatican shift not a loss
Francisco Carin Garcia's piece ("A new identity in the loss of ties," Jan. 24, Page 8) repre-sents an important notion -- the shift of the ROC's Catholic Church from a Chinese church to a Taiwanese one. Father Garcia writes of a potential break in Taiwan-Vatican political relations as a catalyst for this development in the identity of an important component of a flourishing but still evolving Taiwanese civil society. But he overestimates the likelihood of such a break. He observes that both Taiwanese Catholic organizations and the Vatican's political representatives in Taiwan have been quiet on the issue, but he does not note that bureaucrats in the Vatican itself have denied that a shift is imminent. Also, a major piece of his evidence, that the Chinese government is trying to "bridge the gulf" between the official and unofficial Churches there, appears to be contradicted by recent events. The Chinese government's ordination of five bishops earlier this month (rather than elevation by the Pope, as mandated by Canon law) is noted, but more depth would have been added by the fact that nine priests reportedly refused ordination in order to remain loyal to the Pope. The gulf between Rome and Beijing remains wide and the majority of China's Catholics seem to prefer to keep their distance from the government-sponsored church. Furthermore, in December the Chinese government reportedly arrested (among others) an elderly unofficial bishop who has already spent twenty years in jail for his faith. Reconciliation between the two Catholic Churches in China does not suit the government's interests, even after establishment of relations with the Vatican. Rather, Beijing will con-tinue a "divide and conquer" strategy in order to keep the Catholic Church from becoming popular enough to challenge Communist rule. Nonetheless, Taiwan will eventually lose the Vatican as a diplomatic ally. As Father Garcia points out, this will not be politically important. The Vatican's power has been described as "expressive" as opposed to tangible, and world sentiment, if not action, is still with Taiwan. The fact that Taiwan has gained Macedonia as a partner in Europe, and may be winning other new friends, mutes the symbolism in the Vatican-Taiwan relationship. Spiritually, Taiwan will still be a full member of the Catholic family. Exchanges between Taiwanese and foreign Catholics will continue and Taiwan will continue to be represented in the Church's highest councils by Cardinal Paul Shan (單國璽) of Kaohsiung. In any case, the evolution of a Taiwanese identity for the local Catholic Church should continue apace with the rest of the society. Kevin C. Scott
Washington, D.C.
Government help welcomed
It was encouraging to read the news that the government is showing interest in the photonics industry (光電產業)("Government will subsidize new LED screen maker," Dec. 25, Page 18). This industry was worth NT$233.6 billion in Taiwan in 1999 and will increase by 64.6 percent in 2000, according to the estimate of my organiza-tion, the Photonics Industry & Technology Development Association (PIDA, 光電協進會). In particular, the production value of Taiwan's flat panel display (平面顯示器) industry is forecast to rise by NT$145.7 billion this year, 1.5 times more than in 1999. However, many citizens of Taiwan aren't familiar with this industry, and only invest in IC electronic stocks or others. To accelerate the pace of Taiwan's photonics industry development, I look forward to active government support. Meanwhile, the government should make generous incentives available for investments in venture capital business -- in line with the nation's stated policy -- and enhance international cooperation.
Jerry Lee (李季達)
Taipei
Because much of what former US president Donald Trump says is unhinged and histrionic, it is tempting to dismiss all of it as bunk. Yet the potential future president has a populist knack for sounding alarums that resonate with the zeitgeist — for example, with growing anxiety about World War III and nuclear Armageddon. “We’re a failing nation,” Trump ranted during his US presidential debate against US Vice President Kamala Harris in one particularly meandering answer (the one that also recycled urban myths about immigrants eating cats). “And what, what’s going on here, you’re going to end up in World War
Earlier this month in Newsweek, President William Lai (賴清德) challenged the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to retake the territories lost to Russia in the 19th century rather than invade Taiwan. He stated: “If it is for the sake of territorial integrity, why doesn’t [the PRC] take back the lands occupied by Russia that were signed over in the treaty of Aigun?” This was a brilliant political move to finally state openly what many Chinese in both China and Taiwan have long been thinking about the lost territories in the Russian far east: The Russian far east should be “theirs.” Granted, Lai issued
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