Headline news in Taiwan on Thursday was allegations against a diplomat from Paraguay who had allegedly infected four girlfriends with a venereal disease. What should have been at most a private matter was sensationalized by Taiwan's less-than-tasteful gutter press. The fact that Paraguay's president was visiting Taiwan at the time gave the story unwarranted prominence. The timing of the story is suspect, along with the motives of the lawmakers who raised the allegations on the behalf of the women involved.
The only ex-girlfriend willing to step forward publicly said her relationship with the envoy ended over a year and a half ago. So one must wonder why she didn't say anything then. Another accuser reportedly attempted to commit suicide the day before the press conference -- again there have been questions raised not only about the timing of the attempted suicide but whether the woman even exists. Then there is the purported suicide note -- addressed to President Chen Shui-bian (
The two PFP lawmakers who hosted the press conference, Chin Huei-chu (
If more reputable lawmakers had been involved in the press conference, the women's complaints about the envoy would have more credibility. But, it is hard to believe that these two legislators can have any legitimate motives.
The Paraguayan ambassador held a press conference on Thursday to apologize for the furor and announce that the diplomat in question will sent home. But the image of his embassy and government have been damaged. How does one explain this outrageous manner of newsmaking except that it was an attempt to humiliate an ally of Taiwan? Such conspiracy theories gain credibility when one considers the pan-blue camp's attack on the Chen administration's diplomatic efforts.
In both their criticism of Vice President Annette Lu's (
The number of Taiwan's allies is decreasing. Both the ruling and opposition camps must work together to nurture and maintain foreign ties. Allies can't be treated so cavalierly. If the number of allies drops down to single digits, can Taiwan still call itself a country? The pro-unification camp hopes to push foreign ties to a dead-end alley, so that Taiwan will have to eventually surrender to China.
The opposition camp realizes that a lack of international vision and unfamiliarity with foreign affairs is a weak point for the DPP. So they hope to make a fool out of the Chen administration in front of the international community. Hopefully, the voters can see these parties and lawmakers for who they are and say "no" to them with ballots in the next election.
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