TAIPEI, Taiwan — Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang yesterday received foreign dignitaries and observers from nearly 28 countries, who have come to Taiwan to oversee the March 22 presidential poll and its “carnival-like atmosphere.”
By Michael Danielsen, Chairman of Taiwan Corner.
Published in Taipei Times on 21 March 2008.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang yesterday received foreign dignitaries and observers from nearly 28 countries, who have come to Taiwan to oversee the March 22 presidential poll and its “carnival-like atmosphere.”
“I am convinced that … [Taiwan people] will once again opt for the decision that is good for the peace and prosperity of their beloved country and happiness of the people,” he said during a reception held by the foreign ministry, amid concerns the election is expected to be significant to cross-strait relations, as well as to Taiwan’s international status.
“The people of Taiwan enjoy their full freedom of expression, and they believe that, through participation in democracy, they can make a difference,” he added.
“Whoever is elected, the U.S., Taiwan and China should all work together for better relations,” former State Department deputy spokesman Alan Romberg emphasized, before noting “The March 22 election is crucial for cross-Taiwan Strait relations.”
He noted the two referendums to be held alongside the presidential election, especially the one proposed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on whether Taiwan should seek U.N. membership under the name Taiwan, are “less significant” than issues such as cross-strait relations.
The controversial referendum has elicited criticism from Western countries such as the U.S. and the European Union, who say it is courting danger.
As for a dispute over whether opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou has a valid green card, Romberg said he is not sure how this will affect the results of the election.
DPP candidate Frank Hsieh has accused his opposition Kuomintang counterpart Ma Ying-jeou of possessing U.S. permanent residency status — a green card; he has alleged that Ma’s integrity and loyalty to Taiwan are questionable. On the other hand, Ma has denied the accusation, saying his green card had become invalid over 20 years ago.
Also, Shigeyuki Tomita, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives, said he believes that friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan will not change, whoever is eventually elected. He added that the Japanese government looks forward to consolidating bilateral relations with Taiwan’s new leader.
“Japan also hopes the new government can build even more stable cross-strait relations, which are beneficial to the stability and prosperity of the whole region,” he said.
Michael Danielsen, a renowned newspaper columnist from Denmark, said that “Taiwan has not achieved a full-fledged democracy, therefore, the DPP and KMT need more positive interaction rather than antagonism after the election.”
Danielsen went on to say that if he is to have any chance of governing, Hsieh must form a grand coalition government with the KMT if elected president.
Varnadharma Kanchanasuvarna, an associate professor of Thailand’s Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said that the campaign process in Taiwan is very good, and that he envies Taiwan for having such a peaceful election.
“It seems that a coup d’etat like the one that occurred in Thailand last year will never occur here,” he added.
Thailand’s military overthrew popularly elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September after mounting criticism that he had undermined democracy.
Regarding the U.N. referendums, Kanchanasuvarna said they are a “good political tool” for pressuring China.
