Envoys' mansion to be restored

Hidden in thick foliage, the former US ambassador's residence in Taipei saw an infusion of new life yesterday during a groundbreaking ceremony for its restoration.

The residence, believed to have been built around 1925, has been deserted since the US cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979.

"Even though it's in a very bad condition and suffers from the ravage of time, almost 22 years, it's a very imposing structure," said Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans, spokeswoman for the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

Many shared Mudd-Krijgelmans' sentiments. During an outdoor function before the groundbreaking ceremony at the site's front yard, located on bustling Chungshan N Road Sec 2, officials, sponsors and neighbors recalled their bittersweet memories of the residence and evolving Taiwan-US relations.

Enshrined in the memory of Frederick Chien (錢復), a veteran diplomat now serving as president of the Control Yuan, were his encounters with five US ambassadors at the two-floor building from the 1950s to the late 1970s.

"This site is full of many memories," Chien said at the function when recalling his interactions with former US ambassadors Everett Drumwright, Alan Kirk, Jerauld Wright, Walter McConaughy and Leonard Unger.

From 1961 to 1970, the US fought side by side with Taiwan to secure its China seat at the UN. During this time, "Ambassador McConaughy would hold a cocktail receptions on this porch to celebrate our victories," Chien said.

But Taiwan lost its UN seat in the autumn of 1971 -- a turning point in support for the ROC that climaxed in what many scholars call "the collective denial of the ROC's statehood."

In July of the same year, then-US national security advisor Henry Kissinger flew secretly to Beijing amid a Sino-Soviet split, a move that finally resulted in the US shifting diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 1979.

"After Taiwan and the US cut ties, ambassador Unger left Taipei [on Jan. 19, 1979], leaving this house deserted for almost 23 years," Chien said.

Morris Chang (張忠謀), the founder and chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, which has donated NT$60 million to finance the restoration project, also joined Chien in recalling memories from the 1970s.

"In my capacity as an ROC immigrant in the US, I was very concerned about ROC-US ties then. Every day I looked for the latest related news in the paper. The severing of ties came as a heavy blow to us," Chang said.

Upon visiting the building that was "loaded with history," Mudd-Krijgelmans added her comments.

A humble feeling

"To be probably the first American or one of the first Americans to come back here since the very uncomfortable days of 1979 is indeed something that makes me feel very humble," she said.

She also recalled that during her first stay in Taiwan from 1984 to 1986 as a student, "people did not discuss that very uncomfortable period some 20 years ago."

The restoration of the site won unanimous support from those attending the ceremony, who feel the completion of the project may not only add to the beautification of the city but also serve as living testimony to Taiwan-US relations.

"Certainly its restoration will be a welcome addition to Taipei's beautification," Mudd-Krijgelmans said.

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) added that the design of the site is intended to serve as a venue for cultural and arts events.