Wu denies
calling Kadeer a ‘terrorist’
ATTACHING LABELS: Joining the
premier on the legislative floor, the minister of the interior said Kadeer’s
organization is closely related to ‘one or two’ terrorist groups
By Flora Wang
STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009, Page 3
Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) yesterday denied that the government had referred to
Rebiya Kadeer, president of the World Uyghur Congress, as a terrorist, but
insisted that her organization has close relations with terrorist groups.
“The government never said Kadeer was a terrorist. We never said that nor did we
accuse the World Uyghur Congress led by her of being a terrorist organization,”
the premier said during a question-and-answer session with Chinese Nationalist
Party (KMT) Legislator John Wu (吳志揚).
Minister of the Interior Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺), who was fielding questions from
John Wu, reiterated that the government’s decision to prevent Kadeer’s entry was
made to protect the nation’s interests and security.
“This [decision was made] because the World Uyghur Congress is closely related
to one or two terrorist groups although it itself is not a terrorist
organization,” Jiang said.
Jiang said the groups he was referring to were the East Turkestan Liberation
Organization and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.
“We are being very cautious because the World Uyghur Congress secretary-general
[Dolkun Isa] is also affiliated with the two organizations,” Jiang said.
Jiang said the secretary-general, along with 15 other people, had been put on
the National Immigration Agency’s “red alert” category after they tried to enter
Taiwan during the World Games in July.
Jiang was referring to allegations that appeared in a Next Magazine report in
July. Isa rebutted the claims when contacted by the Taipei Times.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau also told the Taipei Times at the time that
there was no intelligence indicating that Isa was linked to terrorists or
involved in terrorism and that there was no reason he should not be let into the
country.
Isa lives freely in Germany, which granted him citizenship in 2006. He visited
Taiwan in 2006 to attend an event hosted by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
The premier and the minister reiterated the government’s stance against Kadeer’s
planned visit on the legislative floor after its stance drew ire from Kadeer,
the congress and sections of the public.
Jiang announced on Friday last week that the government would not issue Kadeer a
visa because Kadeer’s planned visit would harm Taiwan’s national interests.
Kadeer immediately accused the government of bowing to pressure from China and
demanded an apology from President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and the administration for
linking the congress and her to terrorists.
The premier said yesterday that the visit by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the
Dalai Lama and Kadeer were different cases.
“Kadeer is not a religious figure, but a politician,” Wu Den-yih said. “The
Dalai Lama was not involved in any political activities during his visit [last
month].”
But DPP Legislator William Lai (賴清德) said it was ridiculous for the government
to ban Kadeer based on that argument.
“Isn’t [China’s Association for the Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman]
Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) a politician, too?” Lai said.
Wu Den-yih also dismissed Lai’s speculation that Taipei had received information
from Beijing to deter the screening of a documentary about Kadeer — The 10
Conditions of Love — during the Kaohsiung Film Festival next month.
Wu Den-yih said the government agreed to screen Kadeer’s film in Kaohsiung.
“As a sovereignty, we need to respect freedom of speech, which is a very
important part of human rights in the world,” Wu Den-yih said.
Beijing
adjustments trickle to diplomatic staff: Yang
PATIENTLY WAITING: The
minister of foreign affairs said that changes in the thinking of China’s
leadership could take some time before it reaches overseas staff
STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009, Page 3
If China wants bilateral relations to thrive, it should not overlook the fact
that Taiwanese expect international participation, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Timothy Yang (楊進添) said yesterday.
Speaking in an interview with the Central News Agency, Yang, a career diplomat
who assumed the post early this month as part of a Cabinet reshuffle, said
President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) “modus vivendi” policy has aimed to turn around
diplomatic relations.
“The modus vivendi policy has allowed us to rebuild trust and strengthen
interaction with our friends,” Yang said, referring to improved relations with
Taiwan’s major trade partners, including the US, following a thaw in once
strained ties with China.
But China’s attitude has been slow to change, Yang said, citing an incident
earlier this year during his tenure as the nation’s representative to Indonesia.
At a public event, Yang was not allowed to sit in a section reserved for members
of the diplomatic corps because of a protest from China’s ambassador to Jakarta.
Yang said this showed that it could take time for China’s diplomatic personnel
in the field to adjust their conservative traditions and mindset.
“The change in the Beijing leadership’s way of thinking probably has not been
fully conveyed to its overseas diplomatic staff,” Yang said. “We need to
patiently wait for this adjustment.”
He also reminded Chinese leaders that if Beijing wants Taiwanese affection for
China to grow, it should not disregard their desire for participation in
international activities.
“If Beijing fails to make the necessary adjustments, cross-strait rapprochement
could be limited,” Yang said.
To emphasize the importance of professionalism in diplomacy, Yang said Taiwan
cannot afford to address issues simply from its own perspective, but should
instead look at Taiwan’s issues from a global perspective.
Yang said he believes the government should factor in the general international
perception of Taiwan rather than just focus on the country’s own stance so it
can formulate balanced and feasible diplomatic policies and working strategies.
On the topic of diplomatic allies developing trade and economic ties with
China, Yang said the government would not oppose such activities.
However, it is another story if allies intend to exchange representative offices
with China, he said, adding that the government would prudently deal with such
issues.
“We will let our diplomatic allies understand that our modus vivendi policy is
based on pragmatism and we will not pursue it at the expense of bilateral ties,”
Yang said.
Zelaya’s
daughter given shelter at ROC embassy
By Flora Wang
STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009, Page 3
“Zelaya’s daughter was seven months’ pregnant. The embassy also understood
she had taken virtually no part in political activities. Out of humanitarian
concerns, [the embassy] allowed her to temporarily stay.”— Timothy Yang,
minister of foreign affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang (楊進添) confirmed yesterday that the
Republic of China (ROC) embassy in Honduras shielded ousted Honduran president
Manuel Zelaya’s daughter in June.
“[The incident] took place on June 28 when Zelaya’s youngest daughter and her
five-year-old child came to our embassy to seek asylum,” Yang told reporters on
his way to the legislature.
“Zelaya’s daughter was seven months’ pregnant. The embassy also understood she
had taken virtually no part in political activities. Out of humanitarian
concerns, [the embassy] allowed her to temporarily stay within the embassy
compound,” Yang said, adding that she left on July 10.
Yang confirmed a story published by the Chinese-language China Times yesterday
quoting anonymous sources as saying that Taiwan’s Ambassador to Honduras Lai
Chien-chung (賴建中) agreed to temporarily offer her asylum for humanitarian
reasons after she sought help at the embassy the day Zelaya was forcibly
deported.
However, the news story reported the embassy denied asylum requests from
Zelaya’s wife on the grounds that Taipei did not want to become involved in
Honduras’ political wrangling.
The story said Taiwan’s decision to grant asylum to Zelaya’s daughter had
reinforced the nation’s image as a protector of human rights.
Yang yesterday denied that Zelaya’s wife had also sought asylum at the embassy,
adding that the embassy had fully communicated with top officials in Honduras’
interim government regarding Taipei’s decision and that the officials said they
understood.
When words
and actions diverge
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009, Page 8
What might have come and gone with little fanfare has instead sparked a chain of
events that has accentuated the fundamental differences between authoritarian
China and democratic Taiwan.
When The 10 Conditions of Love, the documentary about Uighur rights activist
Rebiya Kadeer, screens tomorrow in five cities around the country, it will enjoy
attention the film could not have hoped for without the help of China’s
relentless campaign against Kadeer.
Pressure — apparently applied through threats to cut Chinese tourism — that
spooked Kaohsiung into reconsidering whether to include the film in next month’s
Kaohsiung Film Festival, was an affront to Taiwanese values and destined to
backfire. China, it seems — from its leaders to its ultranationalist hackers —
learned nothing from a bungled attempt at censorship targeting the Melbourne
International Film Festival last month.
But Kaohsiung’s reaction to the pressure — removing the film from the festival
by rescheduling it — was equally offensive. The public outcry over its decision
served as a sharp reminder to Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) that certain compromises will
not be tolerated.
Chen’s administration has shown itself capable of engaging the Chinese to meet
Kaohsiung’s needs, but it must remember that compromising free speech would
never be in the city’s, or nation’s, best interest.
Tomorrow, on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of
China, the screenings will send a message to Beijing and the Chinese public
alike: Censorship has no place in self-respecting countries.
After the shameful behavior of the central government, which has barred Kadeer
from visiting Taiwan, that message remains equally meaningful at home.
Kaohsiung has backtracked on its decision, placing the film back in the festival
after screening it prematurely last week. The city’s stand for free speech,
while belated, is appreciated.
In contrast, the central government seems less likely to back down and let
Kadeer visit in December. While both Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) and Executive Yuan
Spokesman Su Jun-pin (蘇俊賓) said the government would not protest the screening
of The 10 Conditions of Love out of respect for democratic freedoms, their
concern for free speech apparently ends there. Kadeer will not be allowed to
state in person the message she conveys in the film.
“We are a country that has independent sovereignty and freedom of speech,” Su
said on Kaohsiung’s screening of the documentary.
The government’s actions belie its professed support for these principles. Its
rejection of Kadeer was not the first indication that the administration of
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) is willing to yield to Beijing on matters
concerning Xinjiang.
A statement by the National Immigration Agency in July that Dolkun Isa, the
secretary-general of the World Uyghur Congress, would not be allowed into Taiwan
was disconcerting. As Isa had no plans at the time to visit, however, it was
difficult to test the agency’s resolve on the matter. The refusal to allow
Kadeer’s visit confirms that Isa would likely have been denied entry.
The question now is whether the government will be embarrassed by public
criticism into showing some backbone. If not, the matter may not stop at barring
dissidents from entry. Earlier this month, Isa was invited to a forum in South
Korea organized by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, then promptly detained
on arrival. It is hoped that activities such as this in Taiwan will not fall
victim to pressure as well.
Australia
and the US share fears over Asia
By Richard Halloran
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009, Page 8
Australians and Americans are much alike — not exactly the same — but they have
more in common than not. Both are nations of immigrants, have robust and
sometimes brawling democracies and hold similar values on human rights.
The countries also rely on each other for national security. Australia, a nation
of only 23 million people situated next door to a potentially troubled Southeast
Asia, has long looked to the US as its main ally. In turn, the US, situated far
across the Pacific Ocean from Asia, looks to Australia as its main ally and
well-informed partner in Southeast Asia.
At a gathering in Honolulu last week, Australian and US security specialists
discussed a range of topics, including political, economic and military issues
in Asia, with the rise of China hovering in the background or as the focal point
of discussion. Under the rules of the conference, speakers could not be
identified.
Differences of opinion, some stark, others subtle, cropped up in the Leadership
Dialogue — an Australian initiative — at the East-West Center, a congressionally
funded research and educational center in Honolulu. However, the differences
appeared as much within the Australian and US ranks as between them.
Early on, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s views on China came under
scrutiny because he studied Chinese at Australia National University, then in
Taiwan, and later, as a diplomat, in Beijing. The Chinese were audibly pleased
when he became prime minister in December 2007, with some saying Rudd speaks
their language without an accent.
One Australian at the conference contended that, despite his affinity for the
country, Rudd “has a realistic view of China.”
“Rudd and his government can say ‘no’ to China,” another said.
After China detained four executives from an Australian mining company in
Beijing on charges of espionage, Rudd was quoted as saying: “We share enormous
common interests with our friends in China, but we have continuous differences.”
An American who has dealt with China agreed:
“You can’t be afraid to stand up to them,” he said, but “not with silly stunts.”
He referred to some members of Congress who had made vague accusations about the
Chinese government not based on fact.
An Australian said about Rudd: “I think the PM is personally too much involved.”
In contrast, an American, asked to sketch out US President Barack Obama’s
foreign policy, including that on China, grumbled: “What foreign policy?”
He said that the administration, which has been in office for eight months, has
gotten so wrapped up in the war in Afghanistan, the struggle over healthcare and
the debate over the economy that Obama has not focused on foreign policy.
An Australian chimed in to say he worried about what he saw as “the lack of a
constant approach” on China by the US. An American sought to ease the
Australian’s fears, saying that US presidents for years had come to office
staking out a hard right or hard left position on China “but then they all
oscillate back to the middle.”
Another Australian said he was taken aback by the focus on China that he said he
had seen in US military thinking in Asia. Even with that attention to China,
however, he suggested that a shift in the balance of power had begun, given
China’s military modernization. He wondered what the US would do to retain its
preponderance of power in the Pacific.
An American and an Australian both expressed concern about what the American
called “the expanding Chinese capacity for covert operations.” He said the
Chinese had “hundreds of thousands of people” spread around the world seeking to
influence the politics of other nations, to manipulate economic affairs and to
collect all sorts of information.
Richard Halloran is a writer based in
Hawaii.