FAPA set to reaffirm its commitment

Twenty years after the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA, 台灣人公共事務會) was founded in Los Angeles, association members will celebrate the organization's 20th anniversary in their native land of Taiwan today.

FAPA is a worldwide, Washington-based, non-profit organization whose goals include the promotion of international support for the rights of the people of Taiwan and the promotion of peace and security for Taiwan.

Addressing the media in downtown Taipei yesterday morning, association president Wu Ming-chi (吳明基) said that national security is one of FAPA's greatest concerns.

"As overseas Taiwanese, it's our duty to help safeguard Taiwan's security from abroad," Wu said. "The example set by the American Israeli Public Affairs Council is a perfect one to follow."

Missions outlined for the future include elevating Taiwan's international status and joining more global organizations.

"Diplomatic warfare is the most common tactic adopted by China against Taiwan. To survive in the international arena, Taiwan has to elevate its international status and strengthen its relationship with the US," Wu said.

Two of FAPA's long-term goals are for the nation to join the UN and the WHO under the official name of Taiwan.

Asked by the Taipei Times whether he agreed with FAPA's contention that Taiwan should enter the WHO as a full member under the name of Taiwan, Sherrod Brown, a member of Congress who has been a longstanding lobbyist for US support of Taiwan's bid to join the WHO, said that he supports Taiwan's membership as well as its choice of name.

"I recommend that Taiwan gain observer status at the World Health Organization and that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) decide under what name that should be," he said. "It's not my business what name Taiwan chooses for itself within the international community."

The odds of successful UN and WHO entry bids are increasing, Brown said.

"My goal and that of FAPA, if I may speak on their behalf ... is to accelerate entry into all those organizations," he said.

George Liu (劉寬平), a member of FAPA's Standing Committee, identified one reason why Taiwan receives little respect in the international community.

"The problem for Taiwan is one of mistaken identity," Liu said. "Don't ever mistake Taiwan for the Republic of China or for `Chinese Taipei.' Taiwan is Taiwan and it's not part of China."

Also on FAPA's agenda is challenging the US government's "one China" policy, Wu said.

"Through various channels, we will request the Bush administration to review its `one China' policy, and develop a new one because it has a negative impact upon American interests," Wu said.

The association will hold a one-day symposium at the Howard International House today. President Chen will address the opening ceremony, which is planned to start at 9:30am.

Other distinguished guests scheduled to speak in the morning include Brown, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao (田弘茂), and the first chairman of FAPA and incumbent DPP lawmaker Trong Chai (蔡同榮).

The symposium is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm, when Brown, Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), a political science professor at National Cheng Chi University, among other academics, are scheduled to speak.Also See FAPA Inside