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New U.N. bid launched by allies: MOFA

Friday, August 15, 2008
By Dimitri Bruyas, The China Post


TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday that Taiwan diplomatic allies would hand over the island's latest U.N. bid to the U.N. Secretariat in New York at 4:00 p.m. that day (4:00 a.m. local time today), which remained confidential until its release.

Henry Chen, the ministry's spokesperson, said this year's bid will sidestep the thorny question of what name the country should use to apply, and instead focus on securing Taiwan's "participation" in the organization.

He emphasized that the ministry will elaborate on the details today, before explaining its position to other governments worldwide.

For the past 15 years, Taiwan has failed in its bid to become a U.N. member due to opposition from China.

In 2007, the failed bids were the first to use "Taiwan" instead of the Republic of China, the island's formal name, in a move to highlight the nation's de facto independence.

China, the U.S. and several countries in Asia and Europe criticized last year's bid as an attempt to alter the cross-Taiwan Strait status quo.

The 63rd U.N. General Assembly will convene in mid-September this year, at which time Taiwan is expected to make second bid for participation.

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