Questions and Answers from the Video Conference with the New York Press Corps

On the evening of September 15, President Chen Shui-bian held a video conference with international media gathered in New York for the 59th General Assembly of the United Nations, which had convened the day before. Also present at the conference were UN representatives of countries allied to Taiwan, and New York correspondents of Taiwan's media.

President Chen held a lively exchange of views on relevant issues with correspondents from international media such as the Los Angeles Times, CNN, Financial Times, New York Sun, Reuters, Associated Press, and Agence France Presse, and answered their questions.

The conference was moderated and introduced at the New York end by Mr. Tony Jenkins; and a moving statement of support was made at the end by Nicaraguan Ambassador Eduardo J. Sevilla Somoza. He proclaimed that, with the other representatives of allied nations present, including the Marshall Islands, Belize and El Salvador, he would "take on the voice of the 23 million Taiwanese people who cannot speak at the United Nations¡K and keep hammering at the door until it opens."

Q1.In the United Nations, it is given that the legal status of Taiwan is settled, in other words, that you are a part of China, the United Nations accepts the principle that peoples can secede from the nation to which they belong if they did it on a peaceful basis. That was how Slovakia split up from Czechoslovakia. Therefore, the analysts here, diplomats here, say that it would be okay for Taiwan to become independent, but that has to be negotiated with Beijing. And to bring the issue here to New York serves no purpose other than to antagonize Beijing, to make the tensions across the Strait worse, and to heighten some sort of military tension. How do you respond to these criticisms? [Tony Jenkins, Expresso]

A: Thank you, Mr. Jenkins, for posing your question again. As I said in my opening remarks, Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly did not give the PRC the right to represent Taiwan in the United Nations and its subsidiary organizations. This point is clear. Secondly, we believe that our quest to join the UN is not aimed at provoking China. We are not seeking to represent China in the UN. Instead, Taiwan is Taiwan. And we are hoping that the aspirations of the 23 million people of Taiwan to participate in international organizations can be taken seriously by the United Nations, which upholds the principle of universality.

As I mentioned, during the SARS epidemic last year, many people, many individuals were quarantined. We hope that the 23 million people of Taiwan are not politically quarantined or isolated from participation in the UN.

Of course, it would be simplest to resolve the issue of Taiwan's participation in the UN between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. But we believe that this issue is not only an issue involving the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. It is an important international issue.

I have just quoted Chapter I of the United Nations Charter, highlighting the principles of universality and equality. The aspirations of the 23 million people of Taiwan and their hope from the bottom of their hearts must not be ignored by the international community.

With the exception of the Vatican, all nations that want to join the United Nations have the right to join. Only Taiwan is an exception and excluded. This is extremely unfair.

        Q2.President Chen, you mentioned the example of the two Germanys and the two Koreas, and also the example of the two Yemens. Do you consider that United Nations membership for Taiwan would preclude in any way future discussions about reunification, if that's what the people on both sides were to desire? Thank you. [Ian G. Williams, The Nation]

A:That is precisely the reason why I have utilized the examples of the two Germanys and the two Koreas. Their simultaneous participation in the United Nations did not affect eventual unification. Both East and West Germany were members of the United Nations before we saw a unified Germany. Their separate memberships did not prevent the unification, and the same applies to the Korean Peninsula. Both North and South Korea are in the United Nations and this does not affect their quest for the unification of the Korean Peninsula.

In my May 20th reelection inaugural speech this year, I mentioned that the 23 million people of Taiwan, including myself, can understand why the Beijing authorities have to persist in the principle of one China due to historical sentiments. We can fully understand their feelings. But why can't the Chinese turn around and understand the Taiwanese people's aspiration to join the international community? We hope to see some mutual understanding.

I also mentioned in my inaugural speech that, as long as the people of Taiwan agree, we would not rule out any possibility of a kind of relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in the future. We believe that with Taiwan's participation, the United Nations can become the best platform for peace and development across the Taiwan Strait. The UN platform will bring the two sides closer, not further apart.

Q3.Mr. President, to follow up on Mr. Jenkins' question about negotiation with China-China doesn't recognize you, doesn't think you have the right to exist as a nation-is there any political incentive for China to negotiate anything with you, including joining the UN, or any other question like that? [Benni Avni, The New York Sun]

A:We cannot imagine in a democratic country like the United States, where the freedom of speech and the freedom of press are respected a hundred percent, that when a democratic leader, who wants to speak to other democratic countries on behalf of his 23 million citizens, has to be prevented and hindered.

There are many things that are hard for us to imagine. For example, that in such a pluralistic and diverse country when the leader of Taiwan wishes to address a free press in New York City, for example to an audience of the UN Correspondents Association in the UN Headquarters why China has to engage in such oppressive behavior. Only undemocratic, dictatorial, and authoritarian countries would seek to deprive the right of others to speak. The Beijing leadership can refuse to accept the content of my speech, however, they cannot deprive me of the right to speak.

I believe that the issue of Taiwan's participation in the United Nations is not Taiwan's own issue; it is not an internal issue across the Taiwan Strait. Rather, it is an important international issue worthy of attention.

That is why I sincerely hope that the UN Correspondents Association can arrange or provide an opportunity for me to publicly debate this issue with China's leader Hu Jintao.

Q4.Tony, this is for you, and the President can add to it. What threats of cutting off power and electricity have come from China, as the President just mentioned? If either of you has any information, we would love to know. Also the GA resolution, Mr. President, doesn't say that China should represent Taiwan. But it does say that Taiwan, then under Chiang Kai-shek, had to leave all UN agencies, which is that interpretation that the UN is using. [Evelyn Leopold, Reuters]

Tony Jenkins responds:

I am in a slightly difficult position here. This is not a press conference directed to me. And I should say that the UN Correspondents Association made a decision not to host this press conference because we did not accept the authorities of the United Nations to censor our activities in the United Nations' building. They may have the legal authority but we don't believe they have the moral authority when President Chen refers to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We do the same thing. We do not believe that the United Nations has any authority over our affairs. We should take no responsibility for what we said in the press club. I have not received any direct threats to cut power or electricity to our club. The UN authority made it quite clear that they would prevent a press briefing from going ahead in the Secretariat building if we would have to do that. We are journalists. We are not political agitators. We are not in the business of mining barricades and engaging in physical confrontations with the United Nations security guards. So we cancelled the briefing. The Taiwan mission here in New York decided to go ahead with the briefing and invited me to moderate in my personal capacity, which is what I am doing. The other half of the question is directed to you, Mr. President.

A:Even though there are many regrets over not being able to hold this video conference in the UN headquarters due to pressure. However, the fact that we can hold this video conference outside the UN and that I am given this opportunity to speak on behalf of the Taiwanese people. For this, I am truly grateful to have this opportunity to speak to you outside the UN headquarters on free and democratic US soil.

And again, I want to reiterate that the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 did not deal with the question of China's right to represent Taiwan's 23 million people. And I bring up this important question, hoping that we do not continue to see Beijing's distortion of this resolution.

We do not hope to see the Beijing authorities using fists to pressure us, threaten us, and ignore our presence. That is why I am calling for a public debate on this issue. I believe that the truth will prevail.

Q5.Mr. President, I have a question indirectly related to this press conference: Several days ago in Athens, the First Lady of Taiwan was issued a "highest VIP card" by the International Paralympics Committee, which was then cancelled. Do you think that event has anything in common with this particular press conference? And do you think you can do anything to prevent that from happening again? Do you feel frustrated? [Tony Lin, Chinese Television System]

A:China's suppression, boycotting and hampering of Taiwan are ever present. Taiwan suffered from Beijing's suppression even as we battled the SARS epidemic. Now, my wife did nothing more than lead our national team to the Paralympics to support and encourage our nation's athletes, but even this is subject to the same pressure. Why is it that China is not willing to spare even sports, athletics and the disabled?

My wife, Wu Shu-jen, prior to leaving Taiwan, was issued an NPC (national Paralympic committee) card by the International Paralympics Committee in line with the appropriate procedures. I have no doubt that this is true. It clearly says here on this card that my wife, Wu Shu-jen, is the leader of the national team from Chinese Taipei.

I also have here in my hand an invitation letter, dated November 10 of last year. This is a letter from the International Paralympics Committee to my wife, clearly addressed to her as the ROC First Lady. They are aware of her position, that she is the wife of the president, and they invited her to attend the Paralympic Games. The letter mentions that if there were a high government official leading the delegation, it would help raise the visibility of the disabled athletes as well as promote concern and understanding for the disabled within society.

However, we regret that upon my wife's arrival in Athens, the IPC took away what they had previously granted. The reason, according to our understanding, is Chinese pressure. The IPC now says that the leader of the national team to the Paralympic Games has to be the president or the secretary-general of the local Paralympics committee, and my wife, as honorary chairwoman of the committee here in Taiwan, is not qualified.

Looking at the Athens Olympic Games, however, we see that the leader of the US delegation was respected former president George Bush, though he is clearly not the chairman of the US Olympic Committee, nor is he the secretary-general. And at this year's Paralympic Games, the leaders of the teams from Australia and New Zealand, for example, are not the chairmen, presidents, or secretaries general of their home Paralympic committees. So this is clearly a targeted, discretionary action taken to suppress Taiwan.

As all know, my wife is paralyzed from the waist down. She has been in a wheel chair for the past 20 years. If someone in her position is not qualified to lead the delegation, then who is? We deeply regret that the IPC has bowed to Chinese pressure to oppress Taiwan and discriminate against the disabled.

Q6.You've spoken very comprehensively about what you think UN membership for Taiwan might be able to achieve in terms of relations with the mainland and in terms of other crises like SARS. I wonder what you think UN membership for Taiwan might be able to achieve in terms of other regional issues, such as the nuclear issue with North Korea and other crises that directly affect the region. Thank you. [Marc Carnegie, Agence France-Presse]

A:I believe that if Taiwan can become a member of the United Nations, we can make the greatest contribution to regional peace, security, and stability. We are very concerned about the Korean peninsula issue and the North Korean nuclear crisis. However, North Korea is a member of the United Nations, and currently there is a six-party talk on this particular issue. On the South China Sea issues, all the ASEAN member states along with the United States, Japan, and China are concerned and involved in the dialogue. In terms of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan is key to the peace, security, and stability of this region. However, Taiwan cannot be absent in the dialogue to resolve this issue and to create stability and security in this region. All parties around this region, including the US and Japan, are concerned about the peaceful resolution of the cross-strait issue. They also encourage and would like to see peaceful dialogue to resolve this issue. In the resolution of any issue, the two sides involved have to be on equal footing. This is an important principle. Taiwan is one side of the two sides across the Taiwan Strait, and we must be treated fairly. I believe that if Taiwan can become a member of the UN, under UN monitoring mechanisms, then the cross-strait issue can be resolved peacefully. Thank you.

Q7. Mr. Chen, you speak repeatedly and ask for dialogue with Beijing leaders, right? But we had a dialogue in 1992, and we all understand why at that time we could have a dialogue. Do you think that we can return to the basis of 1992 and resume the dialogue? Also, you mentioned the two Germanys and two Koreas. It's very clear that both Germanys and both Koreas pursued unification, and they admit that they are one nation and one people. Do you think that now you still pursue the unification of the two sides? And do you still admit that the people on both sides are one people? [He Hongze, People's Daily]

A:We believe that both sides across the strait must engage in dialogue on the existing foundation. The 1992 consensus was mentioned. I do not believe that there was a consensus in 1992. However, there was a dialogue in 1992. This is the truth. In 1992, there was a cross-strait dialogue. This was a very good experience. With or without a consensus on both sides, everyone was able to sit down and talk. We all hope to be able to use this model to solve cross-strait discrimination. But I want to emphasize that even without a consensus in 1992, there was an existing foundation, and we hope that this foundation can also provide for the resumption of dialogue. At the end of August, I transited through Hawaii and visited Pearl Harbor. There I mentioned that 59 years ago, the US and Japan were at war with each other, but today they are the best of friends and partners. If even enemies can become friends, then do the people on both sides of the strait, sharing a common cultural and ethnic background, really want to be enemies? We hope that across the Taiwan Strait we can establish a peace and stability framework for interaction, and we hope to build consensus in Taiwan to establish guidelines for cross-strait peace and development. Across the Taiwan Strait we want not only peace but also development. I especially mentioned in my May 20 inaugural speech that as long as the 23 million people of Taiwan agree, we will not rule out any possibility in seeking to establish relations in any form whatsoever.

Q8.A question regarding the support of our countries for Taiwan to be part of the UN: It has been said in the past that Taiwan's offers political support rather than economic aid, and there have also been some scandal issues about international administration of debt money in our countries. Does Taiwan plan to give economic aid instead of political support to gain other countries to support Taiwan for the UN? [Patricia Ugalde, Grupo Nacion]

A:Costa Rica is an important ally of Taiwan and we are grateful for the support and friendship expressed by the government and people of Costa Rica to the 23 million people of Taiwan. We firmly believe that the diplomatic relationship between Taiwan and Costa Rica is not based only on financial and economic cooperation, but rather on our shared values of democracy, freedom, human rights, peace and other universal principles.

Taiwan was once a recipient of foreign aid and now that we are capable we must contribute and repay to the international community and play out our responsibilities. So to our friends and allied nations such as Costa Rica, we are concerned about the welfare of the people and the economic infrastructure of the country, and if there is anything that Taiwan's people or government can do, we are always willing.

Statement by Ambassador Eduardo J. Sevilla Somoza of Nicaragua

President Chen: The people of Nicaragua and Taiwan are one. The issue of the question of Taiwan is currently before the committee, I am leaving here to join my colleagues to take on the voice of the 23 million Taiwanese people who cannot speak at the United Nations. We are proud as a group of friendly countries to be that voice and keep hammering at the door until it opens¡K

I wish you well. Your words are strengthened by the power of democracy, similarly we feel to Nicaragua. Continue on. Taiwan may be an island but it is not alone or isolated as long as the friends of Taiwan exist. Count on Nicaragua, and count on the other friends of Taiwan to continue this effort. And one day we will achieve that peace that you have so elegantly offered.