US 20-20 hindsight
The US has not always been humanity's guardian angel (Letters, Sept. 2, page 8), but its system of openness allows it to rectify historical wrongs.
Slavery is a prime example of this process. The US even fought a civil war in its effort to rectify slavery. US President George W. Bush recently apologized for slavery, saying during his five-nation trip to Africa on July 8 that it was, "one of the greatest crimes of history." The US is not entirely to blame for Taiwan's misery, as many Taiwanese at the time unwittingly welcomed joining with the "motherland." What was the US to do under such circumstances?
Asia was broken up into colonies of the western powers and Japan. Taiwan had no friends who could help. Even today, facing China's threat, all our neighbors like South Korea, Japan, Singapore and other world powers have washed their hands of the matter, with the exception of the US. To have gratitude toward the US is not entirely without reason.
However, the US has sold out Taiwan twice since the end of World War II, first by allowing the KMT to illegally occupy Taiwan, then when the Nixon-Kissinger duet visited the PRC. But is the US to be blamed for what happened?
Even today, not all Taiwanese know to what nation they wish to belong. The time has come for America to rectify the wrongs it has done to Taiwan.
America should issue a "Taiwan Proclamation" very much like the Emancipation Proclamation, recognize Taiwan as it is, a sovereign state. In the same way that African-Americans have become an integral part of American society, culture and the armed forces, Taiwan, after recognition, will become a peace-loving contributing partner of the world community.
US Representative Peter Deutch of Florida will introduce a bill in the US Congress to fully recognize and establish formal relations with Taiwan. The bill deserves our support. Let's not lose sight of the big picture: The US presence in Asia today is not entirely unwelcome, as was the case in World War II.
And it is more welcome than China's threats and missiles.
The US is not perfect, but it is a valuable friend.
Chen Ming-chung
Chicago
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