Mon, Oct 15, 2001 page8

• The need to achieve mutual trust

  • By Liu Kuan-teh 劉冠德
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  With an aim of sharing national security affairs and acquiring advice from his counterparts, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) invited leaders of Taiwan's opposition parties to attend a National Security Council briefing after the launch of US attacks on Afghanistan last week. However, his efforts to generate domestic consensus on crisis management were spoiled by a boycott of the meeting by leaders of the opposition.

  Although he expressed regret that the opposition leaders were absent from the briefing, Chen pledged that the meeting would serve as a first step to the establishment of an institution where the government would invite leaders from across party lines to discuss issues of vital national interest.

  The opposition leaders' narrow-minded boycott demonstrates the lack of trust in Taiwan's political circles even when it comes to matters of national security, which is a sad reality in Taiwan's political culture. It also explains why Chen made an appeal on National Day for the nourishing of a civil society.

  Democratic maturity is only achieved on the foundation of rational debate and mutual respect. Since the historic first-ever transition of political power last May, our political system has experienced a tough time in terms of party cooperation. Both the ruling and the opposition parties failed to engage in healthy democratic competition; instead they had absolutely no respect or trust for each other.

  Taiwan's experiences over the past year illustrate that Taiwan's political stability has a direct bearing on its economic development and public confidence. Only a civil society that pursues political reconciliation and cooperation between the governing and opposition parties can develop and produce the optimum benefits for its people.

  The US' handling of the Sept. 11 disaster is a case in point. After the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the US government and citizens at all levels have united in their fight against a common enemy. They have encouraged each other and extended unanimous support to the government in its handling of the crisis. This is a true civil society that has been shaped by 200 years of democracy.

  This trust in each other has been clear not only in the flourishing of American flags and the making of public speeches, but in the desire of Americans to help each other, and in their grief for people most of them have never met. In the face of such a disaster, New York has revealed itself as a city filled with human beings.

  In Taiwan, such human dignity was also shown after Typhoons Toraji and Nari. People worked hand in hand in rebuilding their families even without the government's assistance. In moments of crisis, a person's true nature tends to show through. The same holds for societies.

  Still, what separates the people of the US from other nations stricken by atrocities, such as China and Russia, or from rogue states that despise democratic countries, is that Americans trust their countrymen. They trust each other.

  There was neither protest against the government's post-attacks action, nor was there any fingerpointing at the US intelligence community. What we have seen is consistent support for the government's strikes against the terrorists.

  The international community's anti-terrorism campaign, led primarily by the US, will definitely have a significant impact on Taiwan's security and economy. The Chen administration has publicly supported all necessary US actions to fight terrorism and expressed its willingness to be part of the global effort against terrorism.

  In terms of helping the government prepare contingency measures in anticipation of possible changes in the international situation, the opposition should play a more constructive role instead of pulling the administration's legs out from under it.

  This is a moment when all Taiwanese should be calm, united, and understand the importance of the notion of "being vigilant in peace time." Moreover, it is also a time for us to develop a sense of community that holds us together.

  In times of trouble, free markets and democracy make loving each other alot easier. While Taiwan does enjoy significant economic and political achievements, we still have a long way to go in terms of making trust the highest value in our hard won democracy.

  Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Bukele proposes prisoner swap with Maduro

  • 2

    HK, Macau residency rules tightened

  • 3

    Wild’s top line too much for Vegas Golden Knights

  • 4

    China turns on the charm for Taiwan businesses: study

  • 5

    New missile system to be used in US-Philippines Balikatan joint exercise