Sat, Jul 14, 2007 page3

• Former presidential adviser calls on EU to support Taiwan

  • STAFF WRITER
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  A former senior presidential adviser, Peng Ming-min (彭明敏) said on Thursday that although the EU considers the lucrative Chinese market important, it should give Taiwan's democracy a chance.

  Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in Belgium, Peng said that poor cross-strait relations still posed a danger, even though other problems across the globe have meant that the international community has paid less attention to the issue.

  While cross-strait economic relations are increasing, progress was lacking on the political front, Peng said.

  MISINFORMED

  Peng said many of the perceptions held by Western countries on cross-strait issues were incorrect and disputable, including the "one China" policy, the emphasis on the maintenance of the "status quo," and calls for Taiwan to engage in a dialogue with China and not to provoke China.

  Taking the "one China" policy as an example, Peng pointed out that Taiwan, which has been operating independently over the past several decades, is a sovereign and democratic political entity.

  "The claim that Taiwan, which is totally different from China, is `part of China' is obviously made with disregard to this reality," Peng said.

  On the "status quo" that some countries had asked both sides of the Taiwan Strait to maintain, Peng argued that no one was able to define the concept because the situation was always changing.

  For instance, Peng said, China's military buildup is a strategy to change the status quo, while Taiwan's arms procurement and even economic growth are also changing the status quo.

  "After taking into account all these factors, the so-called `status quo' is totally meaningless," he said.

  DEFENSE

  Peng stressed that Taiwan has no power or intention to provoke anyone and that the country is only defending itself and its democratic reforms.

  Noting that Taiwan has on many occasions expressed its desire to resume talks with China, Peng said that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had even suggested that the "one China" principle be put on the agenda for such negotiations so that the two sides could work on a resolution.

  However, despite Taiwan's efforts, Beijing has insisted that Taiwan accept the "one China" principle as a precondition to reopening cross-strait talks, Peng said, adding that this was equivalent to asking Taiwan to "surrender."

  Referendum

  On Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum on whether to apply for UN membership using the name "Taiwan," Peng said that Taiwan already meets all the conditions required to join international organizations.

  Peng said it is unfair that some countries have called Taiwan's aspiration to become a normal member of international organizations "provocative."

  With neither the US nor the EU supporting the referendum, Peng said Taiwan's UN bid was intended to call the world's attention to the issue and pressure China into giving up its threat of force against Taiwan.
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