Print

Mail

wiki links

Letters: Constitution holds us back

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) wants to hold a referendum on whether Taiwan should apply to join the UN under the name "Taiwan." There is no doubt that the referendum would show that most Taiwanese support the idea.

But it doesn't matter if public opinion across the globe supports such a bid because there is no legal basis for the use of the name "Taiwan" that would let the UN or other organizations accept that name.

The majority of Taiwanese would like our nation to join the UN using the name that we all cherish, "Taiwan" or the "Republic of Taiwan." But when it comes right down to it, the name of our country is not "Taiwan" in the Constitution. The name according to the Constitution is the "Republic of China" (ROC). Until we change our country's name, how can we ask other states to recognize us and accept us into organizations under that name?

Of course, the real reason Taiwan cannot join the UN is China's objection. But China is not the only problem. Our inability to obtain a sufficient number of votes from UN member states isn't the only problem either. There is not sufficient legal basis for a "Taiwan" bid.

Ever since the ROC regime pulled out of the UN in protest at China's admission to the UN in 1971, the ROC's diplomatic space has steadily decreased.

It would be ridiculous for us to use the name "ROC" internally, but "Taiwan" externally.

A powerful, meaningful and necessary step is to demonstrate that "Taiwan" is our country's name.

The people of Taiwan must express their desire through a democratic referendum or other legal means that can demonstrate our view that we are Taiwan.

With that done, laws and the Constitution can be amended to change our name. This way we might succeed in winning enough international support for our country's name and our country's right to representation within the UN.

In conclusion, the obstacle is not just that China is blocking us, and not just that there is no sufficient support abroad for the issue.

The problem is that we must first change the name of our country to "Taiwan."

Making that change could persuade other states to support us.

Lee Yen-mou

Lujhou, Taipei County

This story has been viewed 894 times.