The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is planning an international publicity campaign to raise support and concern in the international community for Taiwan's bid to re-enter the UN, ministry spokesman Michel Lu (
The UN General Assembly is scheduled to open Sept. 13 in New York.
Lu noted that President Chen Shui-bian (
Lu said last year's teleconference has borne fruit, but he didn't respond directly when asked if there would be a similar teleconference with the UNCA this year.
Lu said Taiwan will adopt a new strategy in promoting its bid to join the UN by presenting two cases for participation.
NEW STRATEGY
Under the new strategy, 14 of Taiwan's allies have put forward two proposals to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The first proposal urges the the General Assembly to affirm UN representation for the 23 million people of Taiwan. They have also requested the UN take an active role in safeguarding peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Lu noted that Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (
Lu said government agencies are now planning the details of the public relations campaign.
The spokesman said that the ministry will inform the international community about why it has to let Taiwan join the UN and why it is unfair to shut the country out of the body.
PEACE IN THE STRAIT
The ministry will also point out the importance to the UN members' own interests of the organization helping to safeguard peace in the Strait.
Lu said that the publicity campaign will be conducted through the country's overseas missions, the international media and the the General Assembly.
`HISTORY IS A MIRROR'
In other developments yesterday, commenting on Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's apology on Monday for atrocities committed by Japan during World War II, Lu said that he believes "history is a mirror which allows people to see clearly the consequences of a deed."
Koizumi's apology and his decision not to visit the controversial Yasukumi Shrine in Tokyo are moves with a "diplomatic meaning," Lu said.
He noted that Japan recovered quickly from its defeat in the ar and that it now makes great contributions to the world in politics, economics, technology and peace.
In the era of globalization, all countries should seek cooperation and partnerships with others, he said, adding that although the lessons of the past should always be kept in mind, people should still take a broad view of the future and make efforts to seek for common benefits.
He said Taiwan has been sparing no efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Strait region and it hopes for Japan's continued involvement and cooperation in the region's security and the maintenance of peace.
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