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Ma: Taiwan to join international organizations under 'Chinese Taipei'

ROC Central News Agency

2008-04-04 20:51:20

    Taipei, April 4 (CNA) Taiwan's President-elect Ma Ying-jeou signaled his intention Friday to employ pragmatism and flexibility in his foreign policy, stating that "Chinese Taipei" is an acceptable name for Taiwan to use in international organizations, a suggestion that represented a significant departure from the position of the current administration.

    In an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency Friday, Ma, when asked about the sensitive name issue, said, "Has there been any success (in joining international organizations) by using any names other than 'Chinese Taipei'? Except for the even worse 'Taipei, China,' is there a more acceptable name than'Chinese Taipei?'"

    Following Ma's landslide victory in the March 22 presidential election, Taiwan's foreign policy is expected to undergo a fundamental shift from a pro-independence approach under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government to a policy of what Ma called "modus vivendi," within which dignity, pragmatism and flexibility are the fundamental principles.

    The upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) , the WHO's governing body that is scheduled to open May 19 in Geneva, one day before Ma's inauguration, is seen likely to be the first crucial test of the relationship between China and Ma's new administration.

    Ma indicated that Taiwan should continue to apply for WHO observer status, but he strongly opposed the idea of application for full membership under the name Taiwan, a strategy the DPP government adopted last year. Ma referred to the DPP's approach as a "total embarrassment, " that resulted in a WHO delegate of an allied country avoiding the vote on Taiwan's application under the pretext of having diarrhea.

    Referring to the title Taiwan uses in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) , Ma said he believes that "Chinese Taipei" is workable, noting that even China has not objected to that name.

    Since Taiwan's expulsion from the United Nations and affiliated organizations in 1971, it has been isolated from major international activities, managing to retain only 23 allies, to date. Taiwan's efforts to participate in international organizations has met with strong opposition from China. One rare exception is the WTO which allowed Taiwan to join under the name "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matzu," and also refers to the country as "Chinese Taipei."

    Emphasizing the principles of his policy of modus vivendi, Ma also called for reconciliation in the international arena between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, saying that even China has gradually accepted Taiwan's de facto existence, a situation that he said makes peaceful co-existence possible.

    The president-elect however warned Beijing that if it continues to suppress Taiwan, the Taiwanese people, if stripped of dignity, would choose to fight back, a consequence that would not serve the interests of either side, he added.

    Ma also strongly criticized President Chen Shui-bian for having already issued order to apply for WHO membership using last year's formula, a move that Ma said was "very unfair to us." "President Chen is about to step down, but the new government will bear the consequences of possible failure (of the application)," Ma said. "President Chen can certainly claim that he is consistent... but we object to the legacy he is leaving us."

(By Neil Lu)

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