Fri, Aug 29, 2003 page8

• Two-faced allies little better than no friends

  • By Parris Chang 張旭成
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  Vice President Annette Lu

  (呂秀蓮) recently wrapped up a two-week trip to Central and South America. Apart from attending the inauguration ceremony of Para-guay's new president, she also visited Panama to cement the bilateral relations.

  Because of some problems surfacing in ties with Panama, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) plans to include that nation in his itinerary when visiting Central American allies in November.

  High-level officials in Taiwan and Panama are currently enjoying close interactions. Panama President Mireya Moscoso was among the heads of states who attended the fourth Republic of China-Central America Summit earlier this month in Taipei.

  It is perplexing, however, that Panama's vice president plans to lead a delegation on a visit to China beginning tomorrow.

  Even though Panama's president and vice president hail from different political parties and the president "cannot control" the vice president's decision to make a "personal visit" in China, such a coincidence is a reminder one of the duplicitous strategy that Panama has practiced in recent years,shuttled between Taipei and Beijing to extort financial aid from both sides.

  Since former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) attended a conference on the Panama Canal eight years ago, Panama has never ceased to engage in petty maneuvers. Since 1997, when Beijing took over Hong Kong and became the biggest user of the Panama Canal, as well as one of the major investors in that country, Panama has probably found it hard to neglect China's approaches.

  Prompted by China's intimidation and incentives at that time, Panama used its conference invitation to Lee as a bargaining chip to obtain Beijing's approval for the establishment of a Panama trade office in Hong Kong. To bolster its position, Taiwan donated hundreds of thousands of US dollars to fund the canal conference and promised to take part in canal reconstruction projects and investment schemes. The overall capital spent totalled US$1 billion.

  The result: Lee made his trip to Panama and the office in Hong Kong was opened. Panama killed two birds with one stone.

  Panama knows little about the problems between Taiwan and China. Its "one China" stance is only a means for it to play off one side against the other. Panama has always been the winner in cross-strait diplomatic wars. As long as it has something to gain, it will voice support for Taiwan in the UN. Otherwise, it keeps silent and turns to Beijing for sweets.

  After she took office, Moscoso has adopted a more or less friendly attitude toward Taiwan.

  She also made it clear, however, that she will continue her predecessor's policy of dealing with Taiwan and China on the basis of separating politics from economics. Her government will also continue to develop all-round economic relations with Beijing.

  Taiwan must be firm when it comes to foreign relations. Taipei is not a sugar daddy. We should never allow our diplomatic allies to demand exorbitant amounts, as if Taiwan is their automatic teller machine.

  We are profoundly grateful for our allies' support. We are also willing to provide reasonable investment and financial aid. Diplomatic relations should be built on the basis of shared ideals and mutual interests. Nations should treat each other sincerely.

  Taiwan should discard the myth that "the more diplomatic allies, the better." It should cautiously choose its allies. We want good friends who can help Taiwan expand its diplomatic space, safeguard its security and are conducive to the country's substantial economic and trade interests.

  Parris Chang is a DPP legislator.

  Translated by Jackie Lin
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