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PUBLIC DESIRE FOR TAIWAN'S U.N. BID MUST BE RESPECTED: OFFICIAL

ROC Central News Agency

2007-07-20 23:02:37

    Taipei, July 20 (CNA) In response to Washington's objection to Taiwan's holding of a referendum on its U.N. bid, Chen Chi-mai,deputy secretary-general of the Presidential Office, said Friday that the government has no reason to oppose such a proposal legally endorsed by the public, and said the public mandate must be fully respected.

    Chen made the remarks at a news conference at which Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Tsu-pao was also present.

    As allowing the public to vote on a referendum is an exercise of direct public mandate, Chen said the government hopes to hold a referendum to underscore the country's desire to join the United Nations under the name of Taiwan, as the world body has since 1993 continuously ignored proposals by Taiwan's diplomatic allies asking it to study the country's U.N. bid.

    The United Nations has never responded to the appeals over the past 14 years and the issue has thus failed to provoke international attention, Chen said.

    According to Chen, the country seeks to enter the United Nations under the name of Taiwan for the following reasons: -- Taiwan's people are entitled to take part in U.N. activities as its charter claims that all the people around the world are equal; -- A survey conducted by the Mainland Affairs Council in April this year showed that as much as 77 percent of Taiwan's people support the country's participation in international organizations, including the United Nations, in the name of Taiwan; -- Taiwan is totally qualified and has the right to apply to become a U.N. member as its multi-lateral mechanisms provide a key condition for the country's development and survival amid increased globalization; and -- Taiwan is the world's 18th-largest economy, the world's 16th-largest trading nation and the seventh-largest foreign investor, and the country's achievements have won global acclaim.

    As Taiwan has never been a part of the People's Republic of China, the government is resolved to do its best to protect the country's national sovereignty and dignity through every possible means, despite aggressive suppression by Beijing, Chen said.

    Although under current international circumstances, it is not easy to push Taiwan's membership application through the United Nations, Chen said, however, that it is very important that the government has made the first step toward the goal, as President Chen Shui-bian has written to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voicing Taiwan's keen desire to become a U.N. member and applying for membership.

    The government will continue to boost mutual communication and understanding with the United States and European Union member states in this regard, he added.

    According to Yang, if the United Nations accepts Taiwan as a member, it would help Taiwan and China step up exchanges, forge trust and hold peace talks under the U.N. framework. The international community would be happy to see such a development across the Taiwan Strait, he said, urging Ban to deal fairly with Taiwan's membership issue.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be closely watching ensuing developments in Taiwan's U.N. membership application in the runup to its annual general assembly slated to open Sept. 18.

(By Flor Wang)

ENDITEM/J