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Group leaves to lobby for UN bid

“How can he [Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou] say such a thing when great harm has been done? To avoid angering Beijing, Taiwan has dropped its request for full representation in the UN.”

— Chai Trong-rong, Democratic Progressive Party legislator

Taiwan is a sovereign state and fully qualifies for a seat in the UN, a group of lobbyists said in Taipei yesterday before leaving for New York to launch their annual campaign to promote the nation’s UN bid.

Led by Democratic Progressive Party legislators Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲) and Chai Trong-rong (蔡同榮), the 26-member delegation is expected to arrive at UN headquarters in Manhattan tomorrow.

The 63rd session of the UN General Assembly will open on Tuesday.

The group slammed President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) for downgrading Taiwan’s status and giving in to China’s demands after taking office in May.

Instead of bidding for full membership in the global body like the nation has in the past, the Ma administration said this year Taiwan is only seeking “meaningful participation” in activities under UN specialized agencies.

‘DIPLOMATIC TRUCE’

Chai also lambasted Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou (歐鴻鍊) for saying on Thursday that the “diplomatic truce” Taipei has initiated with Beijing “has done no harm to Taiwan.”

“How can he say such a thing when great harm has been done? To avoid angering Beijing, Taiwan has dropped its request for full representation in the UN,” Chai said.

He said that without UN membership, it would be impossible for the nation to participate in any UN agency activity.

Yen Chiang-lung (顏江龍), a member of the group, said China was the only obstacle to Taiwan gaining UN representation.

CHINA FACTOR

“Once the China factor is removed, Taiwan would be in the UN right away. The opinion of all other nations [on the issue] has little significance. It’s just China,” Yen said.

A pan-blue supporter mocked the group’s efforts, saying the lobby was just an excuse for a tour to the US East Coast.

“The lawmakers are just staging a show to prop up their popularity,” the man said, but declined to give his name.

“If they really wanted to do something for Taiwan, they would stop creating factions within society,” he said.


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