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Updated Saturday, October 4, 2008 10:21 am TWN, By John J. Metzler, Special to The China Post

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Taiwan again stopped at U.N. door

During debates in the opening days of the 63rd General Assembly, almost twenty countries called for Taiwan’s “participation” in the U.N. Prime Minister Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis said, “We urge that a way be found too facilitate the participation of the Republic of China on Taiwan in the specialized agencies of the United Nations. As world challenges have expanded, the Republic of China on Taiwan has stepped forward to provide technical assistance in the areas of social and agricultural development, as well as disaster relief in many countries.” True, but barely noticed.

Beijing’s counter-moves nonetheless, while fully expected, lacked the political and rhetorical rancor of the past. This is in part due to the diplomatic truce of sorts across the Taiwan Straits. Newly elected ROC President Ma Ying-jeou of the Nationalist Party (KMT) has made landmark efforts to defuse the increasingly futile standoff with the mainland and bring about wider and closer ties with the extended, but estranged, Chinese family on both sides of the straits.

Still, the PRC rulers, now in their post-Olympic afterglow, are unlikely to show flexibility towards “inclusion” of a democratic Taiwan which has long had social and economic prosperity, but equally trumpets a vibrant democracy. Significantly, PRC Premier Wen Jiabao addressing the Assembly did not mention Taiwan in any context, as compared to the past when Beijing would threaten the island democracy. Beijing looks to the silent treatment to keep Taiwan waiting at the door.

John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He can be reached at jjmcolumn@att.net

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