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MOFA keeps close watch on Taiwan's U.N. bid

ROC Central News Agency

Taipei, Sept. 16 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday it is lobbying hard for Taiwan's bid to gain meaningful participation in United Nations agencies, which could be determined as early as Wednesday by the U.N. General Committee.

"The Foreign Ministry is paying close attention to the bid while continuing to vigorously lobby (for support) , ”said MOFA spokesman Henry Chen at a regular press briefing.

Chen refused to predict the possible outcome of Taiwan's latest diplomatic initiative, but how it plays out will be a barometer of the relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait as well as Taiwan's international image and status under President Ma Ying-jeou's new diplomatic approach.

With the General Committee slated to begin meeting on Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. local time in New York, the foreign ministry staff will stay up all night to closely observe the situation, Chen said.

“We will have a comprehensive statement regarding the result of this year's U.N. bid on Thursday morning,”Chen said.

The spokesman was uncertain whether the Committee will resort to a“two plus two”debate format on the issue, saying only that“two plus two is a format used in the past, and there is room (for change) on whether to follow the previous pattern.”

The length of time spent debating Taiwan's U.N. bid was considered by the previous Democratic Progressive Party-ruled government as an indication of how much the country's efforts were valued in the international community.

The General Committee, comprising delegates from 28 nations, will make a decision Sept. 17 pertaining to the agenda for the 63rd United Nations General Assembly, which opened Tuesday.

Reflecting President Ma Ying-jeou's "modus vivendi" diplomatic strategy -- favoring a moderate and pragmatic approach -- Taiwan's U.N. bid this year only asks the world body to consider Taiwan's meaningful participation in the world body's affiliated agencies rather than full membership.

This year's bid is also different in another respect. Three of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies -- Nicaragua, the Solomon Islands and Honduras -- are members of the U.N. General Committee, the highest number of Taiwan's allies on the committee since 1993.

Taiwan has not been a member of the U.N. since 1971, when the People's Republic of China took the China seat from the Republic of China.

Over the past 15 years, Taiwan has failed to get the General Assembly to list the issue of Taiwan's membership on the U.N. agenda because of Beijing's obstruction.

Chen said that this year, the Foreign Ministry sent Lily Hsu, deputy director-general of MOFA’s Department of International Organizations, and a senior ambassador to lead its lobbying team. The team will continue to promote the bid until the last minute, he added. (By Rachel Chan) Enditem/ls