Tue, Nov 22, 2005 - Page 8 News List

Taiwan has options with the UN

By Manesh SV

Taiwan can request that the Security Council, in accordance with Article 36(1) of the UN Charter, investigate the Taiwan question, the merits of the complaint and recommend appropriate procedures or methods of adjustment.

The Hawaiian Kingdom filed a similar complaint against the US with the council in 2001[7] concerning the prolonged occupation of the Hawaiian Islands since the Spanish-American War of 1898.

Taiwan, of course, has a right to be heard before the council under Article 32.

Though it's possible the complaint may be rejected by Beijing's veto, such a strategy will bring many advantages to Taiwan.

The cause of Taiwan will be highlighted and the appeal to the international community will be more powerful than its past 13 failed attempts to enter the UN through the General Assembly.

Such a maneuver would bring the Taiwan issue and the dilemma of its 23 million people to the attention of the world.

The international community needs to swear that no one state will be allowed to decide questions of right by might.

Manesh SV is a legal researcher in India.

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