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MOFA moves to keep the 'Taiwan' in local Lions Clubs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will help Taiwan Lions clubs protect their interests in the International Association of Lions Clubs, including safeguarding the title of their membership, a MOFA official said yesterday.

Lu Ching-lung (呂慶隆), deputy director of the MOFA's NGO Affairs Committee, said that the ministry expressed great concern over an attempt by the International Association of Lions Clubs to change the title of Taiwan's membership to "Taiwan, China" last year and made use of national resources and its relations with individuals in the international community to obtain the title "MD300-Taiwan" for Taiwan's membership in Lions Clubs International.

However, he said, the Lions Clubs International has been under tremendous pressure from Beijing on the Taiwan issue because it hopes to bring China into the international volunteer organization.

He criticized Beijing authorities for causing trouble by introducing political interference into the international civic organization.

Taiwan's Lions Clubs should not choose to withdraw from the international organization because it may bring more damage to their interests and rights, Lu stressed.

He urged Taiwan's Lions Clubs to unite to make them an integral part of the international organization, as part of their efforts to defend their interests and rights as well as those of the country.

Also, various chiefs of local Lions Clubs, DPP lawmakers and advisers to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said in a news conference that they would file a lawsuit against the International Association of Lions Clubs if it succumbs to Beijing's pressure to change the title of Taiwan's membership.
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