Thu, Jan 03, 2002 page4

• MOFA's Tien talks history and his role in making it

  Amid sensitivity over the upcoming government reshuffle, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao spoke his mind in an exclusive interview with 'Taipei Times' reporter Monique Chu on Tuesday. In reviewing his 18 months in office, the scholar-turned-minister described his occupation as `a lonely job.' He also addressed the dilemmas he faces, not least of which is the rising power of China

  • /
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  Taipei Times: Unlike former minister of foreign affairs John Chang (章孝嚴), who would ring reporters in Taiwan from overseas to leak information about his clandestine trips, you have chosen a low-key approach when visiting countries that don't have diplomatic ties with Taiwan to avoid Beijing's wrath. This approach, however, may leave you in a difficult position when people question you about your achievements as minister of foreign affairs. Do you see this as a problem?

  Tien Hung-mao: Yes, but I really don't care about that. When I decided to take the minister of foreign affairs job, in my heart, all I was concerned with was performing my duty well. I didn't have any political ambitions and I didn't regard myself as political figure. I previously had opportunities to work as a government official, but I declined these offers.

  However, after Taiwan's first transition of power [in May 2000], I realized that some of Taiwan's diplomatic allies might have misgivings about the new situation.

  

  Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao said in an exclusive interivew with the Taipei Times on Tuesday that his critics worry him little and that history is the sole judge that concerns him.

  TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO

  At the same time, I realized some foreign-ministry officials were also feeling anxiety. These officials, many of whom spent decades overseas as professional diplomats, were relied upon to execute government policy.

  Without their full cooperation on the front line, some worried that Taiwan's delicate diplomatic predicament might deteriorate.

  I felt that Taiwan could not afford a diplomatic fiasco at a time when the nation was faced with domestic uncertainty.

  While we attempted to hold the line on the diplomatic front -- seeking to avoid at all costs making the situation worse -- we were also secretly working to achieve certain breakthroughs.

  The new government also faced the heavy burden of the people's expectations -- they wanted more from this administration.

  Under these circumstances, I was faced with the onerous burden of forging an overall strategy to achieve our diplomatic objectives. This was why I decided to take up the task.

  Indeed, this has been a lonely job, as I cannot discuss our strategy with many people.

  I decline to compare myself with my predecessors as they are my friends despite the disparities in our styles in running the ministry.

  My personal ambition has been to achieve Taiwan's diplomatic objectives in the most effective way possible.

  I don't consider it a very important issue at the present time -- whether these measures of mine were understood or known by my superiors, the press or the public.

  The most important thing was for Taiwan to hold its ground diplomatically. Historians and insiders, at some later date, will judge and arbitrate my performance.

  Taiwanese society has been rather shortsighted and focused on superficial matters. I intend to transcend what I consider to be a rather shabby situation.

  If I am unable to transcend this, then my decision to join the government will have been fruitless. Because I am not a politician, it's not necessary for me to do the same things (as politicians).

  In the current political environment, it's not easy to make people feel the foreign ministry is fighting tooth and nail for their benefit.

  The reality is, however, that we've achieved many difficult tasks and we are preparing to defend Taiwan's increasingly precarious external relations.

  TT: Can you elaborate on this increasingly tough scenario?

  Tien: With its political influence expanding, its economic power rising and its available resources increasing, the People's Republic of China is an increasingly menacing foe.

  Taiwan's diplomatic allies realize this. This is the reality. We should not pretend that this is not a difficult situation and then pursue the objectives we set up for ourselves regardless of this reality.

  TT: What's the ministry of foreign affairs' appraisal of China's accession to the WTO? Will its accession make China a magnet for Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies, particularly in Central and South America?

  Tien: In the short term, these problems won't have any tangible, immediate impact on the current situation. But regarding our ongoing problems, I have already asked some of my colleagues to conduct a strategic evaluation -- these problems are unavoidable.

  We know China has targeted several countries -- we can't name these countries, nor can we discuss the way China seeks to undermine these ties.

  Taiwan's position in this hand-to-hand fight with China is heavily handicapped. This is because China can conduct its diplomacy with open confidence.

  It is singlemindedly pursuing a top-to-bottom program designed to isolate Taiwan. However, with every move we make, the foreign affairs ministry has to take into account legislative and media scrutiny, as well as the response of our superiors.

  It's a difficult task, but we are not willing to allow the appearance of any cracks in our united front. With our limited resources and increased pressure -- both domestic and from China -- the foreign affairs ministry must find ways to assuage these countries' changing perception of China.

  TT: How would you like to be remembered by historians?

  Tien: I prefer to view current events from a historical perspective. Without this and the ability to think strategically, it would be very difficult for a scholar-turned government official like myself to make any contribution.

  Given this perspective, I hope people will remember Taiwan's successes in maintaining its diplomatic relations.

  Thanks to the foreign affairs ministry's deliberate planning and execution, in spite of the fluctuating domestic situation of the administration's first 18 months in power, we have overcome.

  I hope people will remember that when diplomatic setbacks occurred, my foreign ministry colleagues were willing to trust and accept me as the minister and worked together to maintain ties and even achieved several breakthroughs.

  Indeed, these achievements will not be attributable to any single person.

  It would be wrong to say that the foreign affairs ministry, as the front-line agency, has not played a leading role in the enormous improvements in Taiwan-US ties.

  Nor should one disregard the strategic considerations the ministry successfully faced when arranging President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) two overseas trips.

  We had to establish personal contacts between Chen and his counterparts in allied countries so as to strengthen ties.

  So, in the future, I hope people will say that during this difficult transitional period -- especially in comparison with other ministries -- Taiwan experienced few tangible diplomatic problems.

  If people point out what they see as problems in the foreign affairs ministry, I'd be happy to listen to any evidence they may have -- listen to their criticisms and discuss possible ways to make things better.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Typhoon could trigger sea warning, hit central Taiwan

  • 2

    Cancelations announced as sea warning issued for Typhoon Fung-wong

  • 3

    Exports soar 49.7% to all-time high

  • 4

    Fung-wong approaches Taiwan, batters Philippines

  • 5

    Tropical storm expected to strengthen into typhoon later today