Jun 20, 2007

Taiwan: US Promotes Status Quo


A Spokesperson for the US Department of State has urged Taiwan’s President not to threaten the prevailing status quo in the region, ahead of plans to hold a referendum on UN Membership.

A Spokesperson for the US Department of State has urged Taiwan’s President not to threaten the prevailing status quo in the region, ahead of plans to hold a referendum on UN Membership.

Below are extracts from an article written by David Gollust and published by Voice of America News:

The United States Tuesday [19 June 2007] said it opposes a plan by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to hold a referendum on whether the island should seek membership in the United Nations. China has lashed out against the proposal by the […] Taiwanese leader.

The State Department is urging President Chen to "exercise leadership" by withdrawing the idea of the referendum, which it says would serve no purpose other than to increase tensions with China.

President Chen, whose […] moves have frequently drawn U.S. criticism, is backing a plan for a referendum on the idea of the island joining the United Nations under the name Taiwan. The referendum would be held alongside Taiwan's presidential election scheduled for March of next year.

At a news briefing, State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States supports Taiwan's inclusion, as appropriate, in international bodies that do not require statehood for membership.

But he said consistent with the one-China policy the United States has maintained since switching recognition from Taiwan to the mainland in 1979, it does not support its membership in organizations that do require statehood including the United Nations

"The United States opposes any initiative that appears designed to change Taiwan's status unilaterally," said McCormack. "This would include a referendum on whether to apply to the United Nations under the name Taiwan."

"While such a referendum would have no practical impact on Taiwan's U.N. status, it would increase tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is of vital interest to the people of Taiwan and serves U.S. security interests as well," he continued.

McCormack said the referendum idea appears to run counter to President Chen's repeated commitments to President Bush and the international community not to upset the status quo in the region.

The Chinese government last week lashed out against the referendum plan, calling it a move to incite conflict and an attempt by President Chen to gain de jure independence for the island, which China considers a renegade province.

A Taiwanese spokesman said Tuesday [19 June 2007] the referendum would go forward despite the criticism, saying the proposed vote is supported by a majority of Taiwanese and does not violate any commitments by President Chen.

Spokesman McCormack said he expects the issue to be raised by the Chinese side at a two-day U.S.-China "senior dialogue" beginning here Wednesday [20 June 2007], led by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo.

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