In recent days former Costa Rican president Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Nicaraguan president Enrique Bolanos were respectively accused of accepting illegal political donations from Taiwan. While the truth behind these allegations remains to be unearthed, the international image of Taiwan has been seriously damaged already.
Why did these alleged scandals, one after another, suddenly take the spotlight? Is it mere coincidence that Taiwan is accused in all these scandals? What kind of messages are being conveyed by this phenomenon? What is the underlying motive, story, and significance? These are all questions worthy of further reflection and examination.
With respect to the alleged receipt by former Costa Rican president Rodriguez of a US$1.4 million political donation from Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has already given a reply to the Costa Rican government, indicating that only US$400,000 in aid was given to a Costa Rican foundation for the purposes of funding implementing personnel training programs and international conferences.
In the other allegation, the Nicaraguan opposition said that Bolanos had accepted US$4 million in political donations from Taiwan three years ago when he ran for the presidency. The Taiwan government explained that Bolanos did request a "foundation for Taiwan's donation" be established, and that Taiwan provide US$4 million for the implementation of cooperative programs for the improvement of human rights, health care, social welfare and disaster relief.
All these programs were gradually implemented pursuant to agreements reached between the two governments after extensive negotiations, and the funds provided were not political donations, according to the Taiwan government. Balanos himself personally explained that his campaign funds for the 2001 presidential election all had lawful sources, and he also asked that the opposition leader to make public the source of his own campaign funds.
In reality, every single dollar of foreign aid given by the Taiwan government was documented and legal. They were all furnished pursuant to legal and standardized operational procedures. Therefore, aid given by the Taiwan government to allies was all perfectly legal.
Nor could they possibly have interfered with the internal government operations of Taiwan's allies. In other words, the rumors about illegal political donations were all untrue and without an ounce of credibility.
However, as indicated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (
But regardless of whether they are for disaster relief, financial aid or other cooperative programs, funds given to allies are all documented and recorded. There is nothing that cannot be laid out in the open. Only on very rare occasions do scandals occur after the funds were given to Taiwan's allies.
Moreover, the Taiwan government is not behind any such scandals. Therefore, one cannot simply label such charitable and well-intended aid as "political donations" or means to "control foreign governments."
It is hard to predict how these alleged scandals will unfold. However, it is worth noting that Taiwan has very little breathing room in the international community. Currently, only 26 countries hold formal diplomatic relationships with Taiwan. Half of them are in South and Central America, which have become critical to Taiwan's diplomacy. Now allegations of Taiwan's involvement in scandals have repeatedly been made in this region.
It is truly worth pondering whether anyone or any government is behind all of this. This is not to mention that giving financial aid to allies in Central America is based on policies formulated in the days of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government.
These policies have remained unchanged for decades, although the budgets for this aid was classified as highly confidential and budget reviews were all made behind closed doors. In reality, the surfacing of these allegations most certainly had something to do with inter-party rivalry in the countries in question.
In addition, it is hard to imagine that this has nothing to do with China, which has spared no effort to take down Taiwan in the international community. Presidential Office Secretary-general Su Tseng-chang (
Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政), executive director of the Institute for National Policy Research, gave a very refined and in-depth analysis of this whole situation, emphasizing that this was an attempt by China to portray Taiwan as an international "leper." He said it is only too obvious that China is a master of using politicians or incumbent office-holders in Taiwan's allied countries to expose to the international media the supposed "scandals" of their predecessors or opponents, without a shred of evidence. The attempt to depict Taiwan as a "leper" is clear. The tactics used by China are becoming increasingly refined and potent. The intention is to scare foreign politicians and governments from becoming Taiwan's friends.
Actually, in view of a series of recent political developments, those who pay attention can observe a pattern. Deliberate efforts are being made to blacken Taiwan's reputation abroad and scotch its arms procurements. Arms procurements and foreign aids are critical to Taiwan's self defense and establishment of international space.
Without submarines and anti-missile systems, among other advanced weapons purchased from the US, Taiwan will be incapable of dealing with the increasing military imbalance between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Without giving foreign aid, Taiwan may be left without any formal recognition and become an orphan in the international community. Perhaps arms procurements and foreign aid are financial burdens, but they are the necessary price of the nation's survival. They are crucial to the nation's sovereignty, democracy and indeed the property and lives of our countrymen.
Cornered by the Chinese ambition to take over the country, what other choice do we have? Taiwan is neither crazy nor foolish. If China did not have 600 missiles targeting the country, and had not been trying to buy off our allies, Taiwan of course would have no need to put so much resources into developing foreign ties and buying arms.
In the past Taiwan reaped the benefits of both financial and military aid from the US. Giving a helping hand to our allies today is merely returning the favor. Strengthening our arms can further demonstrate our determination to defend ourselves, which is ultimately our own responsibility.
It is truly worrisome that, given China's deliberate efforts to trample Taiwan, within this country some politicians and members of the media are echoing Beijing's views. They condemn the arms purchase, saying it will spark a cross-strait arms race while leaving it to future generations to pick up the bill. They label well-intended foreign aid as "bribery to foreign officials." They have gone all out in belittling and mocking the attempts to give foreign aid and purchase arms.
It is worth noting that if the special budget for arms purchases is not approved by the Legislative Yuan and foreign ties suffer major setbacks, Taiwan will become isolated and helpless. How will Taiwan's sovereignty be safeguarded then? What other choice will Taiwan be left with besides accepting "one country, two systems?"
In the face of scandals involving alleged political donations from Taiwan to top officials at allied countries and strong opposition against arms purchases, it isn't hard to discern who controls the puppet strings of the opposition. How can we sit around and consider these isolated incidents, while Taiwan's national defense capabilities and foreign diplomacy fall into ruins, leaving the nation dangerously unprotected?
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