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MOFA says US is wrong on China's human rights

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday expressed regret over the US' decision to drop a resolution condemning Beijing's human rights record this year at the UN Human Rights Commission.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Kau (高英茂) said at a question-and-answer session in the legislature that Taipei had protested against the move by Washington.

Kau made the comments after New Party Legislator Lai Shih-pao (賴世葆) asked him why the ministry, which told the international community that the "Anti-Secession" Law damaged the Taiwanese people's human rights, had remained silent over Washington's decision not to condemn Beijing's human rights record.

UNDER PRESSURE

"The US said it would not introduce a resolution criticizing China's human rights record at the UN. It is [US Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice's gift to Beijing. It is strange that MOFA has so far said nothing on the matter," Lai said.

Noting that the ministry has communicated with the US on the issue, Kau said Washington's decision was regrettable.

The Anti-Secession Law has caused great pressure on the people of Taiwan, Kau said, citing Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp (奇美電子) founder Hsu Wen-lung (許文龍) as an example of the effects of the legislation.

Formerly a staunch advocate of Taiwan's independence, Hsu published a retirement letter last Saturday voicing his support for the Anti-Secession Law and Beijing's "one China" principle.

Senior government officials close to Hsu, however, said Beijing had forced the businessman to reverse his political stance.

The international community responded positively to last Saturday's peaceful march in Taipei protesting against the Chinese law, Kau said.

Various overseas Taiwanese groups also held rallies on the same day to condemn the law.

However, according to Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator David Huang (黃適卓), Taiwan's representative to the EU, Chen Chien-jen (程建人), had dissuaded Taiwanese students in Europe from attending such rallies.

Huang said in the legislative session that Taiwan's representative offices in Holland, France and Munich had also asked Taiwanese students to stay away from such activities.

It is "not believable" that the country's overseas representative offices would prevent Taiwanese students from attending the rallies, Kau said, who nevertheless promised to look into the case.

To counter the impact of the Chinese law, Kau said the ministry planned to send delegations to the US, Japan and the EU next month to explain Taiwan's stance on the law.

DISCUSSIONS

The delegations will discuss with the US, Japan and European countries the EU's proposal to lift up its arms embargo on China and Taiwan's ninth bid to join the World Health Organization as the UN body holds its annual assembly in Geneva in May.

"Our delegates will strongly express Taiwan's opinions on how lifting the arms embargo will affect security in the Taiwan Strait," Kau said.

Kau said US officials suggested Taiwan would have more bargaining chips with China if it can reach unity within itself.
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