From: li@sicvax.enet.dec.com (Tong-Kang Li)
Subject: Re: Military Reunification
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Distribution: soc
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 16:44:37 GMT


In article <1992Nov9.124434.15833@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>, tai@vax5.cit.cornell.edu writes...
>
>I would argue that the legal status of Taiwan is the important issue here. What
>you must realize is that the present-day debate on whether the ROC government 
>has "democratized" or on how much more "open" it has become or
>on how much more "freedom" or "Taiwanization" it has allowed is not the core is
>sue.>  The fact is that these decisions were NOT the R.O.C. government's to
>make in the first place.  This is the argument here.  Essentially, this
>government did not have the authority to make the decisions it has and
>continues to make on the island to this day.  What is just and right and
>intended from the legal standpoint cannot be ignored. Tragically, it was
>subordinated far too long in the political war games of the Cold War era. 
>However, now that that era is over and self-determination as a right has been
>reaffirmmed time and time again and the independence of new nations has
>subsequently been proclaimed, there is new hope for a correction of this
>historical injustice.  

Some netters have provided interesting history about Taiwan's legal status 
from the various perspective to support their positions. Certainly it is 
interesting to read. 

But I think Taiwan people care the most is whether status-quo, reunification, 
or independence can serve for their best interests. 

>In all the arguments against such a referendum or against independence realized
>through means of self-determination, there emerges really only one major
>objection, and that is the fear of the CCP military threat.  Would we not agree
>otherwise that without this threat Taiwan could reap gains from independence?
>Essentially it already is de facto independent and has blossomed.  Why not
>declare that independence formally?  Realize that with the continuing political
>warfare resulting from the battle of the "two Chinas", resources on Taiwan
>continue to be squandered.  Military spending in anticipation of warfare over
>this political squabble takes resources away from the people.  The warfare has 
>led to a Brain Drain from Taiwan over the course of the years.  AS long as the
>warfare continues and it thus remains 'dangerous" to the government to make
>political statements regarding Taiwan's status, the domestic repression
>apparatus is a further strain on the economy.  Full civil liberties and
>freedoms remain unrealized as this political bickering continues.  Taiwanese
>culture remains subordinated under the myth of the One China ideology.  The
>difficulty in recognition of passports for Taiwan citizens continues.  Taiwan
>remains subservient to Chinese whims and decisions regarding ability to 
>participate in international organizations like the GATT.  Taiwan continues to
>suffer unneccesary loss of face in instances like the recent withdrawal of
>recognition by South Korea.  It loses the benefits of full diplomatic
>recognition with most countries and the benefits those afford (eg. protection
>through the courts for business disputes involving its nationals, etc.).
>Furthermore, precisely because there is little reason to trust Chinese
>Communist leaders there is all the more reason to hasten to explicit separation
>of the two entities.  As Deng Hsiao-Ping has explicity stated that recovery of
>Taiwan is his personal quest, it is all the more imperative to push for
>international recognition of the legal basis for an independent Taiwan and to
>secure the realization of this independence by means of a referendum conducted
>in a context of international support against the threat of military
>intervention and a peaceful transition of formal sovereignty.  This is the goal 
>to be sought.  Independence cannot be ignored for fear of such a threat.  There
>are ways to counter that threat through securing the support of the
>international community and the mandate of international law.  The laws 
>for self-determination and against territorial agression and the use of force
>are in support of a referendum for Taiwan.  It should be our goal to promote
>the propriety of our position so that historical injustices may be duely
>rectified.  History has been perverted by politics.  There can be no
>justification for such an obstruction, only due rectification.

Until you can convince Taiwan people the military confrontation with China
is minimum if "formal independence" is declared then your voice for "formal 
independence" will be difficult to materialize. 

Most of foreign countries are unable to recognize Taiwan as a nation under 
the pressure of CCP's China. How can you prove that "declaration of 
independence" can change that. If not, why bother to change particularly 
the changes may lead to disaster. At present, Taiwan people have been 
enjoying "de facto independence" and relations with other countries is 
improving. 

In fact your above opinion has been repeated by other TI netters several 
times. It is time for those TIers to answer our concerns. 

You also said that 

"with the continuing political warfare resulting from the battle of the "two 
Chinas", resources on Taiwan continue to be squandered."

I agree. I would suggest those TIers to stop their warfare if they read the 
last December's election results or even the recent poll in Taiwan on TI 
issue. Taiwan people do not want immediate TI or immediate reunification but 
maintain the status quo for now. Who is squandering the resources and who is 
unrealistic?

As for the political warfare on "two Chinas" between the Mainland and Taiwan,
CCP's China does not recognize Taiwan as ROC, but also never said she will 
invade Taiwan if Taiwan continues her claim as ROC. On the contrary, CCP said 
she will attack Taiwan if Taiwan declares independence. So you can see TI or 
"Two Chinas" will cause hugh military spending or even may lead Taiwan to 
disaster.

Newsgroups: soc.culture.taiwan