Act on frigate scandal
It is disconcerting to read about continuing obstacles to the investigation of the 10-year-old Lafayette scandal, which has involved the murder of a supposed whistle-blower, sentencing of several French contractors and billions of dollars in losses from embezzlement, but no forceful or serious legal proceedings in Taiwan.
The defense ministry's reasons for excluding former premier Hau Pei-tsun (
Several of the French suppliers connected to this case have already been tried and sentenced. Why have their testimonies and the assistance offered by the French government to clarify their dealings not been actively pursued by Taipei? The government's lack of headway in the matter raises question about its commitment to investigating the case.
To the extent that Taiwan tries to portray itself as a part of the developed world with regard to justice and human rights, how does this protection of a culture of graft in arms procurement presume to permanently avoid the truth? Taiwan might as well claim no interest in the rule of law, along with the Philippines and in natural partnership with China, thereby casting doubt on the authenticity of the cross-strait conflict and leaving countries lsuch as Japan and the US weary of Taiwan's military intentions.
Douglas F. Miller
Springfield, Massachusetts
Democracy threatens sanity
I agree with your article ("Nuc-lear bluff damaging to the US, Mar. 17, page 9). Alas, the US is a "democracy," which means that the wisest minds will not always be in control. In the wake of the Sept. 11 outrage, I have heard many of my fellow citizens say that a nuclear bomb should be dropped on some Islamic population center, simply to "teach them a lesson." The gross inhumanity of destroying some several hundred thousand, or even millions, of lives is simply overlooked. After all, they "hate us anyway" and therefore "deserve what they get."
US President George W. Bush has unleashed a war against evil, but who shall bear the label of "evil" will more likely be decided by a Gallup poll than by rational thought. One can only pray that saner minds will prevail.
Thomas Foster
Los Angeles, California
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.
As Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s party won by a landslide in Sunday’s parliamentary election, it is a good time to take another look at recent developments in the Maldivian foreign policy. While Muizzu has been promoting his “Maldives First” policy, the agenda seems to have lost sight of a number of factors. Contemporary Maldivian policy serves as a stark illustration of how a blend of missteps in public posturing, populist agendas and inattentive leadership can lead to diplomatic setbacks and damage a country’s long-term foreign policy priorities. Over the past few months, Maldivian foreign policy has entangled itself in playing
A group of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers led by the party’s legislative caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (?) are to visit Beijing for four days this week, but some have questioned the timing and purpose of the visit, which demonstrates the KMT caucus’ increasing arrogance. Fu on Wednesday last week confirmed that following an invitation by Beijing, he would lead a group of lawmakers to China from Thursday to Sunday to discuss tourism and agricultural exports, but he refused to say whether they would meet with Chinese officials. That the visit is taking place during the legislative session and in the aftermath