Ban Ki-Moon must be surprised by press criticism

The United Nations, from which the Republic of China was ousted in 1971, rejected the proposed accession of the two duly ratified documents by Taiwan on the sole ground that it is not a member state. Despite its poor human rights record, the People's Republic ratified two similar conventions whose accession was accepted by the United Nations. That's why Ban has been panned for discharging his duty as U.N. secretary-general as was required. There is no way he could accept the two documents from Taipei.

As a matter of fact, Taiwan cannot rejoin the United Nations in any capacity without Beijing's nod. Pragmatic or otherwise, Taipei's diplomacy can't get Taiwan into that world organization unless the People's Republic acquiesces to Taipei's accession. So far, Beijing has shown no sign whatsoever of willingness to let Taiwan rejoin in whatever capacity. It won't for any foreseeable future.

That's why Ma is trying to practice pragmatism in foreign relations. He called a halt to Taiwan's effort to rejoin the United Nations, but is encouraging its accession to those U.N. organizations which do not require statehood for accession. He succeeded in getting Chinese Taipei to join the World Health Assembly as an observer. The attempt to have the two international covenants accepted by the United Nations was made in the hope that Taiwan would be accepted as a responsible member of the international community to observe and uphold the conventions on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of mankind.

It would be fine if they were accepted. It doesn't matter that they were rejected, for the rejection was a foregone conclusion. All Taiwan has to do is to show the world that it is doing the best it can to act as a respected member of the world community. And we are certain that Mr. Ban knows it full well.

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