After successfully knocking on the door to Europe by attending Pope John Paul II's funeral, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) highlighted the Pope's efforts to push forward global peace and reconciliation as a driving force to generate domestic unity.
Chen's reiteration of the importance of domestic unity is no doubt a wake-up call to the public in the wake of the pandering and visits by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the People First Party to China. His candid reminder was aimed at urging KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) to carefully define his trip to China, scheduled for next month.
While emphasizing that the government supports pragmatic and mutually beneficial visits to China by groups from the civic and private sectors, Chen also reminded political parties and their leaders to avoid violating the nation's laws and regulations during their visits in China.
Most importantly, Chen expressed his sincerity in wishing to meet with Lien before the KMT boss leaves for China. Since Lien will reportedly meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), it is absolutely essential for the government to urge Lien and the KMT not to fall prey to Beijing's"divide and conquer" strategy.
Beijing's "Anti-Secession Law" early last month -- which legitimizes the People Liberation Army's use of force against Taiwan, as China itself defines the conditions for using non-peaceful means -- drew international condemnation as well as a demonstration by around 1 million Taiwanese people on March 26.
China boycotted the Pope's funeral largely because Chen was there. But its use of the Pope's death as a diplomatic tool in such rude and politically-calculated maneuvering to attempt to block Taiwan's attendance backfired internationally. Beijing's efforts to downplay the importance of the Pope's death in the state-run media and its blundering attempts to politicize the funeral clashed with the hopes of the world community to use the pontiff's memorial to reflect on the need for peace and reconciliation.
Ironically, at a time when China was being portrayed as the troublemaker who was attempting to rock the boat of cross-strait stability and politicize the Pope's funeral, pan-blue members insisted on paying tribute to Beijing's leadership, regardless of public opinion in this country.
The KMT is walking a tightrope with the aim of establishing Lien's political legacy of opening the door to China. The party runs the risk of sabotaging national interests, national security, sovereignty and dignity.
Even worse, the ease with which Lien has fallen into Beijing's trap and become a tool for China in its efforts to divide Taiwan's political forces will create misperceptions in the international community and weaken Chen's leadership.
Since the KMT has poured cold water on Chen's call for a meeting with Lien before he leaves for China, Lien will have to bear the blame for pursuing personal interest at the expense of national interests. If he wants to avoid being labeled as "caring only for China and not loving Taiwan," if he hopes to earn a minimum of respect from the Taiwanese people, he should at least negotiate with the government about whether authorization is required before the trip. It is a matter of national unity.
Even if Lien decides to go ahead with the visit, he should protest to Beijing regarding its efforts to use diplomatic intimidation to prevent Chen from attending the Pope's funeral and to reflect to China's leaders the collective will of the vast majority of Taiwan's people as shown by the massive March 26 "Democracy and Peace to Protect Taiwan" demonstration against China's unilateral enactment of the bellicose "anti-secession law."
This is the right path toward Lien's establishment of his personal legacy.
Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
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