Soong should shape up
I am relieved to learn that President Chen Shui-bian (
Though Soong is the chairman of the opposition party, he is a private citizen who holds no public office. Imagine if former US vice president Al Gore requested a private meeting with President George W. Bush?
Soong has repeatedly stated that he wants to convey the real voice of the people and the public opinion of Chinese expatriates in the US (exclude me, please) to the head of state. But Taiwan is now a democratic country where anyone can air his or her opinion in the public forum whenever or wherever he or she chooses to do so.
I believe a political summit proposed by the Presidential Office is an excellent idea, where politicians, scholars and even ordinary citizens can participate to air their differences and make suggestions that will help the country's future.
Soong said that Chen should face up to history honestly and the future pragmatically. In my opinion, the 23 million people of Taiwan should face up to history and not dwell on the past. It is people like Soong and many other diehard KMT followers who refuse to accept reality.
Since the ROC was expelled from the UN in 1971, the name "ROC" has existed only in the history books. Taiwan, an independent country, should change its name to "Republic of Taiwan".
If East Timor can become independent and join the UN, why does a modern country like Taiwan lack courage to assert itself in the world community? Since the UN and the US support the "one China" policy, the people of Taiwan should accept that and change the name of the country to "Republic of Taiwan."
And there is no reason for the UN and the US not to support the "Republic of Taiwan" in a decision made by its own people.
Thus, to borrow a popular quote from a well-known American political pundit, "It is the name, stupid!"
Kris Liao
San Francisco, California
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