Of Bush, Chen and missiles
The recent statement of the Bush administration concerning Taiwan's ability to hold a referendum on the missile threat from China brings to mind the Shanghai Communique of 1972 that was jointly issued by the US and the PRC.
In that document the US held that, "The United States acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is part of China." It is quite clear that in the intervening 31 years public opinion has developed on Taiwan, and even to some limited extent in China.
"All Chinese" clearly do not hold those views now if they ever did. Foreign policy by the major actors concerning the Republic of China must take into account the new realities on the ground and the development of public opinion.
The issue of the threatening missiles on the Chinese coast aimed at the people of Taiwan simply cannot be disregarded.
Michael Warder
Claremont, California
The Taiwanese people must appreciate what President Chen Shui-bian (
Just take a close look at the image, which was broadcasted worldwide, of the leader of the biggest democracy on earth accompanied by the premier of the biggest dictatorship on earth jointly condemning a democratically elected leader of a tiny island. And Chen's only sin is to encourage his people to exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
Chen skillfully leveraged the issues of national security and sovereignty of Taiwan and the rights of its people against the super totalitarian power and the super democratic power in the world. Just consider what the US could gain alone through concessions on currency and trades from the PRC through this diplomatic maneuvering. I believe US President George W. Bush should thank Chen and reward Taiwan handsomely in return.
Well, time will tell who the big loser or big winner is. The biggest worry and cost for Taiwan is that Chen might have antagonized some so-called China experts and career bureaucrats within the Bush administration, especially the State Department and National Security Council.
By pressuring Bush to openly criticize Chen and restrain the Taiwanese people, the PRC had in fact proclaimed to the world that Taiwan is definitely not a Chinese domestic issue. Rather it is an international issue.
The fiasco just proves to the 23 million Taiwanese that the only effective weapons Taiwan has are to continue pursuing freedom, democracy and the respect of fundamental human rights and to openly and loudly voice to the world the grievances China and the major powers of the world have imposed upon them. Judging from the White House daily press briefing on Dec. 9, and the editorials and commentaries in major international media that followed, I believe that Taiwan is moving in the right direction.
The Taiwanese people should feel proud that, with their aspiration for these universal values and the relentless efforts of their leaders to bring Taiwan to the world, they have won tremendous respect and support worldwide. No, I definitely don't believe Taiwan is to tango alone.
James Chou
Vancouver, Canada
When I watched President Bush talk about the capture of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, I laughed. How could this man say this is about freedom, is this why America is there? Yet he embraced the ruthless dictators of China last week. So what about freedom for the Taiwanese people from their oppressors? What a phony!
Keith Fritz
New Jersey
I am all for Chen in terms of holding a referendum. However, this "defensive referendum" does raise a doubt in my mind. If Taiwan and the PRC are two separate entities, then by what right Taiwan has the say to order the PRC to remove its missiles? Aren't we interfering the internal affairs of another country?
Linda Lai
Taipei
Lu's remarks offensive
I am writing to express my outrage at Vice President Annette Lu's (呂秀蓮) ignorant and outrageous comments that AIDS is the gods' punishment for homosexuality ("Row erupts over Lu's AIDS plan," Dec. 9, page 2). This is someone I have to this point respected as an arbiter of human rights and democratic progression in your country.
I think it shameful that she be uncensored for such bigoted hatred. It puts me off wishing to visit your country, as I was planning a trip next year on holiday.
Gary Groutage
Sydney, Australia
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