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Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009 9:38 am TWN, The China Post news staff

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Gov't still urging Japan to recall envoy on remark

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taipei is still mulling whether it will continue pressing Tokyo to replace its de facto ambassador over his controversial remark about Taiwan's sovereignty status, local reports said yesterday.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Francisco Ou has refused to see Masaki Saito after the Japanese representative said in May this year that the island's status remained uncertain, the United Daily News reported.

Ou was cited by the paper as saying that Taipei does not need to make its purpose explicit, but Tokyo should understand the seriousness of the situation from his refusal to see Saito.

The United Evening News, from the same newspaper group, said the Ma administration has demanded that Tokyo replace Saito by the end of this month.

Tokyo has not replied whether it will replace Saito, who heads the Taipei office of the Interchange Association — Japan's de facto embassy in Taiwan. But the situation may clear up soon, as Taipei seems to be willing to back off a little, the paper said.

Ma's top security adviser, Su Chi, will meet with Saito soon, it said.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, and only about 30 countries in the world recognize the island as a sovereign nation.

Japan, which ruled Taiwan for 50 years, maintains diplomatic ties with China, but Taipei sees Tokyo as an important friend in the region.

Saito quickly apologized to Taipei and retracted his May remarks, saying it was only his personal opinion.

But Ou has said Saito's comments were unbecoming for an official representative.

“His behavior did not conform to that of a representative,” Ou was cited by the Central News Agency as saying in May.

“As the representative of a government, it is not his place to make personal statements because everything he does and says represents his government,” Ou said.

Since then Ou has refused to see Saito, and the Foreign Ministry has never invited the Japanese representative to any of its public functions for foreign diplomats in Taiwan, the United Daily said.

Ou told the newspaper that the government is not letting “personal behavior” come between Taipei and Tokyo.

“After the incident, the promotion of Taiwan-Japan ties has had nothing whatsoever to do with whether Saito is able to see our government leaders,” Ou was cited as saying.

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