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UN participation can only be reached after talks with PRC: former diplomats

The fastest way to elevate the nation's international status is to improve ties with Beijing, a group of retired diplomats said yesterday at a forum in Taipei.

The five former diplomats all served in the delegation to the 26th annual UN General Assembly in October 1971, when the Republic of China (ROC) government voluntarily forfeited its seat at the world body before a vote was put to the floor of the UN General Assembly.

Former minister of foreign affairs Chian Fu (錢復), who served under the Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) administrations, told the forum yesterday that the nation must face the harsh reality of having only 23 allies at the UN.

The government must seek ways to find a middle ground with Beijing on the issue of international bodies, Chian said.

"Taiwan's relations with China should be valued above its foreign affairs if it wants to have more international space to maneuver in," he said.

If the governments on both sides of the Strait can reach an understanding, China should have no reason to continue to choke Taiwan's international space, he said, because Beijing is well aware that its persistent oppression is inciting increasing animosity among the Taiwanese public.

Former diplomat Lu Yi-cheng (陸以正) criticized the idea that Taiwan is hurting its chances of entering the UN by being a "good boy" and following UN protocols although it is not obligated to do so.

"If it did not follow the internationally recognized protocols, Taiwan would suffer sanctions from the international community and it cannot afford further ostracization. It is in Taiwan's best interest to adhere to the rules of the game," he said.

Guo Gang (國剛), former ambassador to Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, suggested a third way to help Taiwan get a foot in the door of the UN by bidding for UN observer status.

On the Democratic Progressive Party's referendum on seeking UN membership under the name "Taiwan," Guo said such a membership was impossible because of China's permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

"China could easily and would definitely veto the bid and the whole thing would be over," he said.

The Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) UN referendum proposal, on the other hand, which calls for a return to the UN by restoring the ROC's original seat, is also a fantasy, he said.

Restoring membership does not require the unanimous approval of the Security Council, but it is highly unlikely that at least 97 countries would vote in favor of Taiwan, he said.

Seeking observer status at the international body, however, could work and would allow Taiwan to participate in some UN agencies that do not require national sovereignty, he said, adding that Taiwan could impress other countries with its contributions to these agencies and try to win support for a full membership bid later.
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