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Taiwan Quick Take

■ Society
New Year markets set to go
With the Lunar New Year less than a month away, Taipei's New Year markets are scheduled to open from Friday until Feb. 16, with everything from food to clothes for the annual celebration on offer. The New Year markets integrate six shopping streets, including Dihua Street (迪化街), Yongle Market (永樂市場), Huayin Street (華陰街), Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市), Taipei MRT Underground Mall and the commercial area near Taipei Railway Station. Traditional snacks, groceries and clothes will be on sale, and a delivery service of NT$80 per box is available at most outlets.

■ Diplomacy
China may veto UN in Haiti
Diplomatic ties with Taiwan may result in China blocking an extension to a UN peacekeeping force in Haiti, diplomats said on Monday. The UN Security Council on Monday discussed a 12-month renewal of the UN peacekeeping operations' mandate in Haiti, which will expire on Feb. 15. Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan had called for a 12-month extension of the 7,700-strong force. It was not known whether China would agree to the whole extension or demand changes in the mandate. "There's not yet unanimity in term of extension in Haiti," said Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, the council president for this month. He refused to name the country opposed to the extension, but other diplomats said China has raised objections to Haiti, which has been an ally of Taiwan for many years. In past mandate renewals, the council gave short-term mandates that were subject to a review process in which China could make drastic changes.

■ Health
UN defends AIDS hospice
The UN Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) yesterday expressed concern over a court case in Taiwan that may result in the closure of Harmony Home, a hospice for people living with HIV. Located in Taipei's Wenshan District (文山), the hospice faces closure after neighbors protested against people living with HIV residing in the community and demanded its closure through the Taipei District Court. The Harmony Home Association is a registered, non-profit organization established in 2003 which provides shelter, medical assistance, care and support to people with HIV, including abandoned babies. "UNAIDS is concerned that the potential closure of Harmony Home will not only disrupt the vital care and support it offers to people living with HIV, but that it will also increase stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, undermining the efforts of civil society groups working on AIDS," the UNAIDS regional office in Bangkok said.

■ Politics
Chen congratulates mayors
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday congratulated Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) for their election victories last month, and urged them to cooperate with the central government on municipal construction projects. Chen shared his municipal experience with the two mayors, stressing the importance of continuity in municipal development and promising that the central government would address local government needs through constructive communication between the two sides, Hau told reporters yesterday at Taipei City Hall. Hau also discussed municipal issues, including making Taipei's Songshan Airport an international airport and the integration of textbook content in elementary schools.

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