Following the World League for Freedom and Democracy's (WLFD) split into two rival factions, each with its leader asserting his legitimacy, the UN's annual non-governmental organization (NGO) meeting has rejected the participation of either group, saying a solution to the schism was a precondition for the League's participation.
"Before China applies pressure on Taiwan's participation, we have already begun fighting amongst ourselves. It is such a pity," said KMT Legislator Fang Yang-shang (范揚盛).
Yesterday was the deadline to register for the 54th annual Department of Public Information)/NGO conference to be held under UN auspices. But the two competing forces vying to head the League said the conference organizers had already told them they could not take part in the meeting unless the representation dispute was solved.
The two different factions, both claiming to be the rightful League are respectively headed by the Legislative Yuan's Vice Speaker Yao Eng-chi (饒穎奇) and Clement Chang (張建邦), a longtime KMT functionary and the founder of Tamkang University.
Ger Yeong-kuang (葛永光), secretary general according to the Yao faction of the League said that the conference organizers had informed Bruce Potter, the deputy secretary general in charge of UN affairs in Yao's camp, not to take part in the conference due to the unresolved infighting.
"Our original preparation was going quite well until our rival sent a letter to the UN explaining the internal dispute. Then the UN said now that you have this dispute, don't come," Ger told the Taipei Times.
Sources close to Chang, however, told a different story. Tai Wan-chin (戴萬欽), executive general of the Chang faction of the League, claimed that Chang had long been recognized by the UN as the League's president while "Yao attempted to cheat the UN claiming he was the new president."
Tai said three weeks before the September conference, organizers would send final confirmation letters, declining to say whether Chang's group would take part in the conference in New York.
The link to the League's Web site through the UN's NGO home page, however, names Yao as the League's president and Ger as secretary-general.
The stated mission of the global organization, comprised of 144 national chapters and affiliated international organizations, is to spotlight and encourage political freedom through the strengthening of democratic principles in all countries.
Foreign ministry officials and lawmakers saw the infighting over the League's leadership as an "embarrassing" barrier to Taiwan's participation in international organizations.
"Back in January we witnessed the League holding two meetings under the same title in Taipei, with some overseas participants feeling rather puzzled. And it's really improper to see this farce moving onto the international stage," said a foreign ministry official in the ministry's NGO affairs committee, under condition of unanimity.
"I really hope that both parties will not cause Taiwan loss of face by continuing the fighting," said Fang, the KMT legislator.
Yao and Chang have lobbied for what they said was their "legitimate" position as president of the League a few months ago.
In January each faction held "The 31st Annual Conference of the WLFD."
The government has tried to be even-handed in its treatment of the factional rivalry.
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) attended the meeting arranged by Chang and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao (田弘茂) attended the one arranged by Yao.
Chang claimed the president's move was indicative of his support for Chang's "legitimate" position as the league's leader.
But the infighting did not end and negotiations between the two factions over the past few months have come to nothing, insiders said.
Ger said the dispute was "a showcase" for the fighting in Taiwan's domestic politics, adding that Chen would be the only person that could bring the dispute to a halt.
The foreign ministry official said, however, that it was difficult to say who was the "legitimate" president according to the League's charter.
The current fiasco in the 40-year-old League could weaken the operations of the organization, the official said, adding: "It's really valuable for us to have the League to take part in UN activities. And it would a great blow if we lost this opportunity."
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