The Government Information Office (GIO) announced a torch relay will begin on Oct. 24 as part of the government's efforts to push for the nation's UN membership bid.
GIO Minister Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) said yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) would lead the relay, which will kick off in front of the Presidential Office on Ketagalan Boulevard at 7am.
Shieh said that Oct. 24 is of historic importance as it is the day the UN Charter went into effect, adding that Oct. 25 is the day the Republic of China (ROC) left the UN.
PHOTO: CNA
"We would like to use the occasion to lodge a protest against the UN, which trumpets universal participation, and send a clear message to the world that the people of Taiwan want [their country] to become a member of the international body," he said.
Shieh said the 11-day event will be open to all political parties, ethnic groups and people of all ages, adding he hoped it would attract 100,000 participants.
Organizers said 17 athletes and celebrities will carry the torch through 25 counties and cities, including Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.
Shieh welcomed the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) to participate in the event.
He said the administration had every legitimate reason to use public money to finance the UN membership bid because the bid is a government policy.
"We will continue the initiative until Taiwan enters the United Nations," he said.
Shieh said the Oct. 24 event will cost an estimated NT$10 million (US$306,000) and that the budget would come from the Sports Affairs Council. He dismissed allegations that the Ministry of Finance had financed the UN campaign.
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