The US State Department issued a warning against President Chen Shui-bian's (
The statement is consistent with current US strategic interests in the Southeast Asian region. However, it is against the founding principles of the US and contradicts US President Bush's State of the Union address, in which he preached the values of global freedom and democracy.
Taiwan responded calmly and firmly. Premier Su Tseng-chang (
This is the correct approach to adopt against a superpower. Taiwanese can no longer bear the pain of living in a status quo created by the US and China.
The rights are on the side of Taiwan. Taiwan should first consolidate the resolve of its people and then present its case forcefully to the world.
The world will definitely sympathize with the plight of the Taiwanese people. But if Taiwan gives in to outside pressure, it will be deemed a coward. And no country will feel sympathy for a coward. This rings especially true for the cowboy sitting in the White House.
Yang Ji-charng
Ohio