World Affairs Board - View Single Post - Pacific allies call for international recognition of Taiwan

xrough · 10-12-2007, 07:06 AM

Pacific allies call for international recognition of Taiwan

Agence France-Presse

MAJURO - Taiwan's Pacific allies called Friday for the island to be admitted to the United Nations and pledged their allegiance at the opening of a summit here.

The summit is the second annual meeting of Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian and the leaders of six Pacific island nations, who make up a quarter of Taipei's diplomatic allies worldwide.

The two-day meeting in the Marshall Islands capital Majuro at a new, Taiwan-funded conference centre follows last year's inaugural summit in Palau and is part of moves by Taipei to prevent any defections of diplomatic support to Beijing.

The leaders of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru and the Solomon Islands said the international community was unjust to prevent Taiwan having an international voice.

"No country deserves international recognition more than Taiwan," said Palau President Tommy Remengesau.

He called the UN's decision last month to reject Taiwan's application for membership "justice delayed," but said island would ultimately prevail.

Last month the UN General Assembly rejected Taiwan's latest attempt to return to the body after its expulsion in 1971 in favour of the communist government in Beijing.

President Ludwig Scotty of Nauru, the most recent Pacific nation to switch from recognizing China to Taiwan in 2005, said "Taiwan should be accepted in the international community as a democratic, peace-loving nation."

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manase Sogavare vowed his country would continue to campaign for Taiwan's membership of the UN and World Health Organization.

Earlier Chen said while opening the conference centre that his government would continue to provide aid to its allies.

He said Taiwan wanted to help the Pacific islands and contribute to the international community.

The main meeting of the summit is being held Friday afternoon, with individual meetings between Chen and five of the island heads of state on Saturday. No new major aid initiatives were expected to be announced.

Taiwan began holding summits with its Pacific allies last year, soon after China held its first ever summit with its Pacific allies in Fiji.

Both Taiwan and China have been accused of "checkbook diplomacy" in the Pacific, and analysts have said their rivalry has contributed to instability in the region.

Taiwan, which split from China following the victory of the communists in the civil war in 1949, makes annual attempts to be admitted to the UN.

China regards Taiwan as a rebel province which will eventually be reunited with the mainland -- by force if necessary.

10-12-2007, 07:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
xrough *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 01-08-07 Location: Manila Posts: 842 Country:	Pacific allies call for international recognition of Taiwan Pacific allies call for international recognition of Taiwan Agence France-Presse MAJURO - Taiwan's Pacific allies called Friday for the island to be admitted to the United Nations and pledged their allegiance at the opening of a summit here. The summit is the second annual meeting of Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian and the leaders of six Pacific island nations, who make up a quarter of Taipei's diplomatic allies worldwide. The two-day meeting in the Marshall Islands capital Majuro at a new, Taiwan-funded conference centre follows last year's inaugural summit in Palau and is part of moves by Taipei to prevent any defections of diplomatic support to Beijing. The leaders of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru and the Solomon Islands said the international community was unjust to prevent Taiwan having an international voice. "No country deserves international recognition more than Taiwan," said Palau President Tommy Remengesau. He called the UN's decision last month to reject Taiwan's application for membership "justice delayed," but said island would ultimately prevail. Last month the UN General Assembly rejected Taiwan's latest attempt to return to the body after its expulsion in 1971 in favour of the communist government in Beijing. President Ludwig Scotty of Nauru, the most recent Pacific nation to switch from recognizing China to Taiwan in 2005, said "Taiwan should be accepted in the international community as a democratic, peace-loving nation." Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manase Sogavare vowed his country would continue to campaign for Taiwan's membership of the UN and World Health Organization. Earlier Chen said while opening the conference centre that his government would continue to provide aid to its allies. He said Taiwan wanted to help the Pacific islands and contribute to the international community. The main meeting of the summit is being held Friday afternoon, with individual meetings between Chen and five of the island heads of state on Saturday. No new major aid initiatives were expected to be announced. Taiwan began holding summits with its Pacific allies last year, soon after China held its first ever summit with its Pacific allies in Fiji. Both Taiwan and China have been accused of "checkbook diplomacy" in the Pacific, and analysts have said their rivalry has contributed to instability in the region. Taiwan, which split from China following the victory of the communists in the civil war in 1949, makes annual attempts to be admitted to the UN. China regards Taiwan as a rebel province which will eventually be reunited with the mainland -- by force if necessary. __________________