Viewpoints 8.
Let's give to Taiwan the place it should be (II)
By Consultant Stephane TIGNEL May 7, 2000
I. Geopolitics : 3 superpowers
Until now, there is only one superpower in the world : United States
of America. If E.U and some countries of Asia set up their rules, the
global situation would become fairer for the citizens of these two areas
at least.
It's useless to mention again about American hegemony. Just two
related news to show how much narrow gets their ability to decide
everything in face of a growing competition. Last month, they asked to
Beijing not to buy any AWACS to Israel so as not to disturb the
strategic balance between Taiwan and Mainland. At the same time, they
answered that they can't sell any destroyers Aegis to Taiwan but only
some long-range radar. What does it mean? The U.S.A cannot afford a
growing
military power in Asia. The unmentionable reason is more to prevent
these forces from being too strong in comparison with American ones than
to prevent them from being attempted by starting a fight in the Strait.
On the other hand, in order that some countries open widelier their
market, U.S.A give them a lot of pressure or intend judicial inquiries
against them. Sometimes they just think that the competition is too much
strong and they try and prove that it is not legal, as it is with Airbus
company or investments in the automobile sector in India, Philippines
and South Korea.
Facing these kinds of difficulties, China would like to establish
another pole to get rid of western (and American) supervision. Then,
some countries as Israel will maintain some relations with both
countries : U.S.A and China. They will be helped or will exchange some
technologies with both of them. As a matter of fact, China should become
stronger, well-informed of all the new technologies and maybe of the
weaponry got by some countries. Last month, China discussed about
getting closer with Greece, South Africa, Turkey and Israel. What about
Taiwan? Why does Taiwan insist so much to follow the steps of U.S.A
only?
E.U is also trying to oppose its system to the American's. What is
European Union? It is the name of 15 countries who decided to make many
important decisions together rather than apart. Of course these
countries still have their own power, and then, their own institutions.
But some organizations are in charge of having the economies converging.
They are the European commission, the European Parliament, etc...
But as many analysts say, the 15 countries don't harmonize their
politics. That's why they are not so strong as they could be. It has
been appearing clearly with the depreciation of Euro, which is the
currency of 11 of these countries. The tumble of Euro is not entirely
negative because it permits European countries to import with a lower
price. But it shows that it is an emergency for European citizens to use
this currency. Indeed, it seems that Europe is not well-unified and that
their currency is not governed by any State. At least, it is the feeling
of traders and investors. Moreover, at the meanwhile European citizens
don't use their currency, U.S dollar stays over-appreciated and the
growth keeps turning to American advantage.
These discrepancies between the superpowers or able-to-be-superpowers
should lead to a stronger reaction from Taiwan.
II. Taiwan's position
For sure, Taiwan's leaders, especially Annette Lu, receive a lot of
pressure from Beijing. The soon-to-be vice-president especially was
insulted many times. But under this kind of situation, they still intend
to keep cooperating only with the same countries as under K.M.T's rule.
Of course they will change the way to cooperate, above all concerning
the international help. But the relations will be held with the same
kind of countries. It means that the result will be the same as now.
Then China who wants to get more power over the world will go on
isolating Taiwan as much as possible.
Why don't Taiwan's leaders in their speeches mention about the
emerging countries such as Poland and Greece? Both of them are facing
some difficulties right now, but they might overcome them quickly. What
about tying the economical relations with E.U? If E.U could invest more
and more in Taiwan and Taiwan in E.U, it would give them some power to
decide the things as we request. It would turn the situation to E.U's
advantage, as they could discuss their views about Taiwan's situation to
U.S leaders. Thus, Taiwan's ability to get some helps or services would
be reinforced.
Abraham Burg, president of Knesset, the Israelian parliament said :
Israel, which is sometimes so much isolated as it is a small country,
isolated in an ocean of animosity, cannot ignore Taiwan's interests in
an area which looks so much alike with the Near-East. That's why Israel
decided to get some help from both America and China.
But Taiwan's leaders and citizens repeatedly ask Washington to be
more active for the stability in the Strait, without asking that so much
firmly to E.U. They also refer to the Acts signed with U.S.A to sell
some weapons to the island. But is that sure that Taiwan's Navy has the
expertise to use those systems very well in case of war or during the
training activities? Just think about the lost of four F-16 fighter-jets
and two Mirage 2000-5. Some analysts, among them James Mulvelon, a Rand
Corp. expert on the Chinese military, say that Taiwan had better to
learn how to build its weapons rather than buying them.
It is unbelievable that, so as to serve its interests first, a
country as U.S.A tries to know what happens abroad and tries to
influence the investments and all the life of citizens in this country.
Taiwan should develop the relations with other countries as they want
without thinking about American and Chinese opinions. Taiwan hopes will
be deceived as long as the leaders will be waiting for the U.S.A's
kindness. At the same time, Beijing is trying to frighten the leaders
more than Taiwan's citizens. But these one will have to suffer from the
consequences of the isolation
every day in their life. Just two examples. It is so much clear when a
Taiwanese need a visa to travel, or when Taiwanese doctors would like to
know more about the big health organizations. Why not to try and reduce
these difficult or bad situations?
Let's give Taiwan the chance to get some economical cooperation with
E.U so as to build together the fourth superpower.