For years, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government has trumpeted the idea of transitional justice, but it has been hesitant to take the message to the judicial arena for fear of being accused of "political interference.

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By Chen Lung-chu 陳隆志
In terms of international law, Taiwan has not been a part of China since 1895. Taiwan has become a country through a continuous process of evolution. In the process of democratization and Taiwanization -- and thanks to the effective self-determination of its people -- Taiwan has evolved from a territory under military occupation following World War II to a country with the sovereignty and independence of a nation-state. This theory of Taiwan's evolution into a state conforms to historical developments, changing political conditions and the dynamic character and principles of international law. I support this theory of evolved nationhood, which I described previously on this page ("The evolution of Taiwan's statehood," Aug. 9, page 8).

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By Chiu Li-li 邱莉莉
Taipei County's elevation to special municipality status has created further controversy in the financial relationships between the central and local governments. To appease those bureaucrats in Taipei and Kaohsiung who will now have to share their special municipality funding with Taipei County, the Cabinet has resolved to provide a special subsidy to the two cities, giving NT$15.5 billion (US$467.5 million) to Taipei and NT$10 billion to Kaohsiung.

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The world is not yet running out of oil, but tow-thirds of oil reserves are located in the poitically unstable Persian Gulf region
By Joseph Nye
For three decades, the rich world has talked about curbing its addiction to imported oil. But, despite the anxious rhetoric, the oil-supply problem has become worse and energy security more complex. Notwithstanding politicians' repeated calls for energy independence, over the past 30 years the US, for example, has doubled its dependence on imported oil, which now accounts for nearly two-thirds of its oil needs.

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By Sam Dillion
During a decade in power, the government of former British prime minister Tony Blair made efforts to improve English schools, with some apparent successes. Because US public education faces similar challenges, like what to do with failing schools and how to recruit better teachers, some educators believe there is much to learn from England's experience.

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I propose a solution to the escalating headaches over parking space in Taipei: Introduce a "certificate of parking space."

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When Beijing was awarded the right to host the Olympic Games, foreign supporters hoped that it would improve respect for human rights and press freedom. However, there's only one year left before the start of the games and fundamentally there has been little improvement.

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