U.S. Relations With Taiwan

* Jim Mann’s April 17 column, “Taiwanese Opposition’s Independence Drive Shows Need for New U.S. Policy” was a superb review of the current situation between the U.S. and Taiwan. It reflects the ambiguity and contradiction inherent in U.S. policy toward Asia.

Taiwan has traditionally been seen as a pawn in the international game of superpowers. In the anti-Communist fervor during the beginning phases of the Cold War, U.S. military and economic aid to Taiwan propped up the authoritarian dictatorship that claimed sovereignty over China. Ironically, U.S. support for Taiwan has been inversely proportional to Taiwan’s democratization. In terms of U.S. recognition, in the myth of Taiwan representing China was replaced by the new myth of Chinese (People’s Republic of China) claims over Taiwan.

Today, the Taiwanese have moved themselves through successful democratic reforms, and popular pressure establishment of diplomatic ties with most of the world’s nations as well as a seat in the United Nations. However, despite all the money the ruling KMT party is throwing out to accomplish the task and the pleas of the opposition on grounds of self-determination and international justice, this domestic chorus has done little to change the international scene, particularly U.S. policy.

Taiwan’s peaceful pleas for improved relations with the U.S. and a seat in the United Nations continue to be ignored. Offers by Taiwan to contribute to United Nations operations and expenses are rejected. Even the non-governmental organizations from democratic Taiwan are not allowed to attend the United Nations women’s conference in Beijing.

Mann correctly points out that Taiwan is now a ticking bomb for American policy. The peaceful and prosperous population on Taiwan yearns for U.S. support. But it appears that only the terrorists and dictatorships like Iran, North Korea and China stand a chance of negotiating something out of the U.S. If power politics rather than righteous justice are to dominate the international game, America seems to be teaching Taiwan that human rights abuses, terrorism and nuclear weapons are the only valuable chips for bargaining a dent in U.S. policy.

BI-KHIM HSIAO, Program Coordinator

Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party

Mission to U.S., Washington