Thanks from a Kiwi
The Taiwanese Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, made up of 22 personal, recently completed their work in Christchurch, New Zealand. As a Kiwi, I would like to say many thanks for coming to our aid when the earthquake struck late last month.
My friend, who is a telecommunications technician and recently returned from Christchurch after 10 days there, has described the downtown area as a complete disaster zone. He spoke highly of the international USAR teams, including Taiwan’s, and the fantastic job they are doing. Many Kiwis I have spoken to are grateful for the support of the international USAR teams coming to New Zealand.
I am sure the Taiwanese USAR team has done their country proud and continues to prove they are valuable citizens of the international community.
Many thanks from a grateful Kiwi.
SETON MONTGOMERIE
Auckland, New Zealand
Shedding light on past events
Dan Bloom’s interview with me (“’Fireproof Moth’ recalls experiences during White Terror,” Feb. 12, page 3) explained the background of my stay in Taiwan in the late 1960s and early 1970s before I was deported in March 1971. However, there is some additional information I would like to add.
I did not return to Taiwan until 2003, when the Foundation for Democracy in Taipei sponsored a week-long event that included several days of panel presentations. I discussed Peng Ming-min’s (彭明敏) escape in 1970 on one of the panels, and my ex-wife Judith and I also appeared on some TV shows in Taipei to talk about our deportation in 1971.
However, it was only in 2009 that Peng and I uncovered the true reason for my arrest 38 years earlier, and the true reason will surprise everyone, as it did Peng and I.
In early 1971, government authorities in Taiwan intercepted a secret letter inside a birthday cake brought to Taipei from Japan by a democracy activist. Inside the cake was a secret letter and some potassium chlorate that — according to the letter inside the cake (which neither my then-wife nor I ever saw) — could be used with another chemical to set off an explosive device.
Again, neither my ex-wife Judith nor I knew anything about this cake or letter or potassium chlorate. However, the police thought we were in on a very serious plot and that is why we were arrested, deported and called “terrorists” in unofficial releases to the press, a charge that was apparently accepted as true by the US Department of State.
Only in 2009, when Peng and I were trying to figure out what really happened, did he find evidence that he was in on a plan to send the “cake” to me. He has no memory of it, but he believes that based on the evidence it is true. Moreover, he insisted that I write what he learned about his role. The last chapter of my book explains what came as a great shock to both Peng and I. I want to clear that up.
MILO THORNBERRY
Bend, Oregon
Wild dogs running amok
A recent story said there were about 2,500 reports of postal workers being injured while delivering mail over the past three years (“Dog owners told to keep pets from attacking,” March 4, page 2). That is a large number. I wonder how many cases there are that are never reported.
There is another dog problem, too. When I go with my children or dog to the Riverside Park in Banciao, near the Hua Jiang Bridge, I am always afraid of the packs of 10 to 20 wild dogs, which come barking up to us. Why are they roaming freely there? Where did they come from? Maybe they are abandoned by people who are sick of taking care of them.
How many people have to be injured before authorized government personnel take action? The problem is man made, so it should be solved by man. Dogs are not part of the natural ecological environment of that beautiful park. I talked about the dog problem with a guard at the gate and his answer was: Mei you ban fa! Really?
JOUNI HEISKANEN
Banciao
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