New allies should be looked at closely

When seeking to establish new diplomatic ties, Taiwan should cautiously review related conditions such as political stability of the countries in question, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao (田弘茂) yesterday in the wake of the severance of ties between Taiwan and Macedonia.

Following Taiwan's announcement on Monday, Tien briefed reporters yesterday morning, reiterating Taiwan's intention to add diplomatic allies despite the fact that China continues to meddle with Taiwan's external relations. "We'll do whatever we should do seeking opportunities to establish diplomatic relations with other countries, and yet we'll review related conditions," Tien said.

Taiwan should consider the domestic political stability of the countries with which Taiwan seeks to establish ties, such as whether pro-Taiwan political forces in these countries were strong enough, Tien said.

The strategic importance of the countries in question was also an important variable when the foreign ministry conducted related evaluations, Tien said.

In view of the economic recession in Taiwan and concern among the public over the way foreign aid should be carried out, the foreign ministry will "cautiously handle foreign aid issues" considering related costs Taiwan should pay to establish ties with any new diplomatic ally, Tien said.

A drafted bill entitled the "international cooperation and development law," which aims to make foreign aid operations transparent and accountable, is currently under review by the legislature, Tien said.

The law, expected to sail through the legislature by the end of the year, can serve as a yardstick for the foreign ministry to carry out related foreign aid programs, Tien added.

Tien said that Taiwan should provide some humanitarian aid. The foreign minister also denied allegations that a certain amount of economic assistance that Taiwan has offered to Macedonia during the past two years has been transferred to support a dam construction project carried out under China's banner.

He also said that reported figures about Taiwan's aid to Macedonia were "wrong," adding that Taiwan's real investment in the Balkan state during the past two years was "much less" than reported. The issue of the tug-of-war between Taipei and Beijing at the diplomatic front should be part of the agenda when cross-strait talks resume, Tien said.

Meanwhile, Tien departed for the US yesterday for a one-week trip during which he will visit San Francisco, Los Angeles and Colorado.

From June 21 to June 23, Tien is scheduled to attend the 2001 American Enterprise Institute World Forum in Beaver Creek, Colorado, at the personal invitation of former US President Gerald Ford. Tien is scheduled to attend a plenary session at the forum as a lead-in speaker, a session that will be joined by US Vice President Richard Cheney, Tien said. KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) will also attend the forum this year.

A select group of business leaders, government officials, scholars, and former heads of government will gather in Beaver Creek for the event, which has been held since 1982, during which related discussions are off the record, related information on the forum showed. Tien's predecessors including Fredrick Chien (錢復) and Tien Mao-shih (丁懋時) have taken part in the forum in the past, according to DPP legislator Parris Chang (張旭成), who attended the forum discussion last year.