Asia-Pacific News
Taiwan's Chen raps US over pressure to scrap referendum
Aug 21, 2007, 11:11 GMT
Taipei - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday struck back at the United States for trying to get him to give up a plan to hold a referendum on UN membership for his island as Chen departed for a summit with Central American leaders.
'Although someone had suggested I drop a planned referendum on joining the United Nations in the name of Taiwan in exchange for better transit treatment from the United States, (I) do not think this could be done because the two issues are unrelated,' Chen said.
He made the comment at Taiwan's international airport before boarding a plane to transit through the US state of Alaska on his way to Honduras, one of Taiwan's 24 diplomatic allies.
Chen is allowed a 50-minute refuelling stop in Alaska en route to Honduras, where he was scheduled to attend a Central American leaders summit, presidential officials said.
Such a brief stopover came in contrast to his previous transiting stops in the United States when he was allowed to stay for up to three days in major US cities, including New York and Los Angeles.
Chen's trip came as he was pushing for a referendum on UN membership for Taiwan, which China opposes because it sees Taiwan as part of China. Chen's plan has encountered opposition from US President George W Bush's administration, which is concerned such a vote would escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
China, a bitter rival of Taiwan since the two split at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, has threatened to attack the island if it tries to make any moves to officially split from the mainland.
Beijing, which still regards the island as a Chinese territory with no sovereignty or statehood, has feared that the UN membership vote would be the first step toward a referendum on Taiwan declaring formal independence from China.
Chen said Tuesday that he did not want the US transit issue to shift the focus of his Central American trip.
The island's leader has said he is willing to face repercussions from the United States to uphold his referendum, which he stressed is a basic human right and a show of democracy, which Washington has steadfastly vowed to protect.
Taiwan and the United States do not have official relations, but Washington has remained an informal ally and Taiwan's biggest arms supplier.
Chen was scheduled to arrive in Honduras Tuesday local time for a three-day visit. He was expected to give 5 million US dollars in aid to Honduras for a national computerization project, Taiwan Foreign Affairs Ministry officials said.
He plans to attend a summit Thursday in Tegucigalpa before travelling to El Salvador and Nicaragua, two more Taiwan allies, which diplomatically recognize the island, not China.
Chen was scheduled to return to Taiwan on August 29, also by way of Alaska, where he is have another 50-minute refuelling stop.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
page: 1
This is really not a good time to bash your president. Historically, giving aid to allies has always been a common practice long back in KMT days. It's really nothing new. Of course, if you look at how much china is willing to give african countries, it's not comparable. Also, do you know how much US gives Israel per year? we're talking about billions! so comparable basis, it's not that bad so I wouldn't be so negative on chen if I were you.
In fairness, this is a normal activity. If someone were to squeez you so you don't have much space, what would you do? Naturally, you would fight to retain it! Right? And money is a very convenient 'commodity' if it can resolve that. In the end, this is nothing to be critical of. Remember, how much did china gave to Costa Rica before they abandon Taiwan? We're talking in hundreds of millions. let's not have double standards here!
Frankly, I don't care if countries send other countries money. My problem is when pro-independence people start bashing China for doing it, when Taiwan does it itself.
If pro-independence people agree to stop bashing China for doing that, I won't bring up this issue anymore.
Also, care to comment on Taiwan ripping the US?
Well, the bashing is taking place because of recognition. At this point, you know just as much as me that Taiwan is desperately fighting to retain the remaining 24 allies. While China, now on its way to become a superpower, wants nothing less than squeezing out Taiwan from the international stage. Therefore, due to the nature of the current environment, bashing will continue to take place.
Here is what I think should happen. Taiwan should be treated just like former east/west Germany, and north/south korea. Until the reunification takes place, Taiwan should have a say at the world stage. If this were the case, we wouldn't have an issue regarding bribing other countries to compete for recognition. Since china/taiwan chose this path, it only illustrates how unopen minded we are. Such unopenness is the main driver of the independence move. In the end, we've learned nothing from the 5000 years of history.
As with bashing US, I obviously think it's appropriate as US does appear to have double standards since they support independence for the province of Kosovo but holds a different view on Taiwan. Being in US for over 20 years, I do feel US is not as friendly and has become more 'realistic'. I think it's natural that taiwan looks at US and says 'if you look out only your own interest, then I will too!'
page: 1
Taiwan PatriotAug 22nd, 2007 - 00:51:36
'He was expected to give 5 million US dollars in aid to Honduras for a national computerization project, Taiwan Foreign Affairs Ministry officials said.' Hmmm...anyone who is bashing China for 'bribing' other countries want to explain this?
If China builds roads and hospitals in other nations, you pro-independence people bash it as bribery to contain Taiwan, but if Taiwan does it, you people stay silent and look the other way? LOL, look at your hypocrisy.
Also, is it smart for Chen to bash the nation that is willing to protect Taiwan in a war? That's a pretty dumb move :)
Report this comment