Tue, Sep 16, 2008 page3

• Nicaraguan envoy promises staunch support for UN bid

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  Staff Writer, with CNA

  Nicaraguan Ambassador to Taiwan William Tapia said yesterday that his country would continue to be Taipei’s staunchest supporter in its bid to participate in the UN, an issue that Taiwanese authorities hope will be put on the agenda of the UN General Assembly today.

  “The atmosphere is different this year and Nicaragua has been very supportive of Taiwan’s UN bid,” Tapia said at a function celebrating the 187th anniversary of the independence of Central America.

  Honduran Ambassador Marlene Villela-Talbott, Guatemalan Ambassador Ivan Espinoza Farfan and Salvadoran Ambassador Francisco Ricardo Santana Berrios also attended the event.

  MODERATE

  Tapia was referring to Taiwan’s more moderate bid this year for UN participation under President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) diplomatic strategy of “modus vivendi” centering on a “diplomatic truce” with China.

  By asking the UN General Assembly to consider the feasibility of Taiwan’s participation in UN specialized agencies rather then seeking full membership, the bid marks a new approach by making no attempt to seek entry to the UN under the name “Taiwan” or returning to the UN under the name Republic of China (ROC).

  Tapia, who assumed the post as Nicaraguan ambassador in January, said that the situation this year was also different because three of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies — Nicaragua, the Solomon Islands and Honduras — are members of the UN General Affairs Committee, the highest number of Taiwanese allies that have been on the committee since 1993.

  CHINA

  However, he admitted that China still plays a key role in the issue, saying “it all depends on China.”

  Commenting on Taiwan’s UN bid, a senior diplomatic official told the Central News Agency earlier yesterday that even though Ma’s proposal was clearly different from past strategy, some countries would still look at the issue based on China’s attitude.

  Taiwan has not been a member of the UN since 1971, when the People’s Republic of China took the China seat from the ROC. Over the past 15 years, Taiwan has failed to get the UN General Assembly to list the issue of Taiwan’s membership on the UN agenda because of Beijing’s opposition.

  The General Affairs Committee, comprising delegates from 28 nations, will make a decision tomorrow pertaining to the agenda for the next General Assembly.

  Asked whether Nicaragua is concerned about improved relations between Taiwan and China under Ma’s “diplomatic truce” approach, Tapia said the Nicaraguan government found Ma’s approach to be “very good” and he expressed confidence in the solid bilateral relations between Nicaragua and Taiwan.

  In a meeting during Ma’s recent state visit to South America and the Caribbean, Honduran President Manuel Zelaya asked Ma how Taiwan’s allies should react to improving relations between Taiwan and China.

  Ma reiterated his idea of a “diplomatic truce” with Beijing, but vowed that nothing would change Taiwan’s longstanding friendships with its allies. He said Taiwan would use all its energy and resources to consolidate relations with its allies.
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