Sat, Aug 17, 2002 page8

• Editorial: Those in glass houses ...

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  PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) should hope he isn't elected president or vice president in two years or else he will face the kind of caustic, vicious criticism he has been making about overseas visits by Taiwan's top officials.

  During President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) visit to Taiwan's African allies in July, Soong said that the places Chen went were "where not even birds would lay eggs." Soong's humiliation of Taiwan's small number of remaining allies is not only inappropriate, but also unethical.

  With respect to Vice President Annette Lu's (呂秀蓮) vacation in Indonesia, Soong commented that "[Lu] broke no ice, but instead caused an avalanche."

  Why must Soong maliciously criticize the efforts of the president and the vice president to make diplomatic breakthroughs? He is obviously going against the mainstream popular opinion in Taiwan and possibly digging a grave for his own political career in the process. Such mean-spirited talk can win only boos, rather than applause. After all, if one day he is elected leader of this country, won't he need to visit those same places? Won't he need to attempt diplomatic breakthroughs? Or perhaps he prefer to sit idly by while China continues in its attempts to isolate Taiwan?

  It is precisely because of individuals such as Soong that Lu's plans to travel to Indonesia were prematurely leaked. Not only was Lu's plan spoiled, but the advance notice gave China time to launch a diplomatic assault to try and blockade her. Any civil servant who is proven to have leaked the information should face prosecution for disclosing confidential information. Such reckless disregard for national interest and destructive behavior make them China's best allies. With their help, China can easily make Taiwan surrender without resorting to military force.

  Taiwan's foreign affairs, military and intelligence units are all the same. They were under strict control of the Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) regime and for decades only mainlanders were allowed into these agencies. After Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) became president, these individuals found themselves without anyone to place their loyalty in. This phenomenon became aggravated after Chen became president. Even the US government is skeptical about the loyalty of Taiwan's military.

  The change of ruling party merely changed the senior officials and ministry heads. Lower level civil servants remain untouched and staunchly loyal to the KMT. Under the circumstances, how can a DPP minister ensure that his subordinates, who are more than likely members of the opposition camp, will seriously implement his policies and orders?

  The Chen administration has faced many roadblocks during its two years in office. One reason is that there are simply too many "professional eulogizers" such as Soong and KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and the old guard in the civil service. These people have loyalty only for the land in which they were born, China. They lack any identification or feelings for Taiwan. This explains why they do their utmost best to demonize and boycott democratization and nativization efforts by Lee and then Chen.

  Taiwan's society is split over the question of national identity and loyalty. In view of Soong's behavior, how can one hopes to establish an community consciousness? If such politicians are elected president, it will be a real sorrow for the people of Taiwan.
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