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Oct. 24 designated `Taiwan UN Day,' torch relay planned

Oct. 24 has been designated "Taiwan UN Day," Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) announced yesterday.

The day marks the anniversary of the coming into force of the UN Charter and is celebrated around the world as United Nations Day.

The premier made the announcement during yesterday morning's weekly Cabinet meeting after hearing a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Taiwan's bid for UN membership and another report by the Sports Affairs Council on a plan to hold a torch relay on Oct. 24 to promote the nation's UN membership bid.

Not a public holiday

Chang ordered the Ministry of the Interior to process the paperwork as soon as possible to facilitate the declaration of the commemorative day, which will not be observed as a public holiday.

He said that even though the application had failed, the government had taken a "big step forward" this year by applying for UN membership under the name "Taiwan."

"Today, we want to declare to our citizens and to the international community that we will not be discouraged. Taiwan's drive to join the United Nations will not stop here," he said.

Out of touch

Chang said that many Taiwanese have lost touch with UN-related issues since the Republic of China's withdrawal from the organization in 1971.

"We want to remind the public of the importance of the issue so that more people will support the idea," Chang added.

Cabinet Spokesman Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) yesterday released details about the torch relay planned to coincide with the new holiday.

"It is my understanding that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) will carry a torch and lead the activity," Shieh said.

Shieh said that the relay would be held from 7am to 7pm and that a total of 25 counties would join in.

More than 12,500 baseball hats and T-shirts will be distributed to participants, Shieh said.

Additional reporting by Jimmy Chuang
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