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Updated Monday, July 26, 2010 10:27 am TWN, CNA Israel would object to closer Taiwan-Iran tiesRaphael Gamzou, the head of the Israel Cultural and Economic Office in Taipei, in an interview with the Central News Agency made a sharp distinction between Iran and the rest of the Arab bloc, saying Israel never raises any obstacles to its friends developing relationships with the Arab world — with the exception of Iran. “We are so much interested in developing relationships with the Arabs so why should we ask our friends not to do it,” he said. “But if you ask me about Iran, the Iran today, then my answer would be slightly different.” Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported that Tehran had expressed interest in establishing a commercial representative office in Taiwan, but that Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had turned down the proposal after consultations with Gamzou's office. In the interview last week, Gamzou said it was a matter of timing. At the moment, many major countries in the free world, such as the U.S. and the European nations, are condemning the Iranian regime for its nuclear power program, therefore, it would be imprudent for Taiwan to deepen its relationship with Tehran, he said. “A few months ago, we read that there was a big commercial delegation coming from Tehran and an association of trade or some kind of chamber of commerce was inaugurated here,” he said. “We thought the timing was really not a perfect one, not only from our point of view, but from a Taiwanese point of view.” He suggested that Taiwan adopt a wait-and-see attitude as the free world, under the leadership of the U.S., decides how to deal with the Iran regime. Gamzou said he was pleased that the MOFA eventually agreed to keep Iran at arm's length. According to the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Iran was Taiwan's 25th largest trading partner in 2009, with a total trade volume of over US$2.54 billion, more than double the Taiwan-Israel trade volume for the same period. TAITRA also noted that in April 2009, in an effort to execute President Ma Ying-jeou's directive to help Taiwan gain better market access, the MOFA planned to ease visa restrictions for Iranians. A Taiwan-Iran Economic and Trade Association was established in Taipei in December 2009 and at the same time, TAITRA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tehran Chamber of Commerce on the mining industry. TAITRA currently maintains a Taiwan Trade Center in Tehran. Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here Comments August 7, 2010 cloggedwithguts@ Well said mordrake. Taiwan should press Israel on pulling out of Gaza and other illegal settlements. Plus Mr. Gamzou, Taiwan doesn't need your approval to further ties with Iran! August 9, 2010 cigars898@ Forget about Israel. Why would you want any ties with Iran. If you think Israel is evil then Iran is...? August 11, 2010 carltanong@ @cigars898Forget about yourself. Republic of China is Independent and a Sovereign state. The R.O.C. will decide itself to have closer ties with any state. Just mind your own business. August 11, 2010 mar@ Cigar asked: If you think Israel is evil then Iran is...Let me think....hmmm, the answer should be... Evil is permanent...Judas betrayed Jesus. Jesus was crucified. And Judas is a Jew. Jews are Israelis. Israeli is ISRAEL. Cigars. U owe me twice now. August 12, 2010 yyzrush@ Hey Israel! How about de-recognizing China and recognizing TAIWAN, R.O.C? Bet you don't have the guts to do that. So quit trying to tell others what to do. August 12, 2010 ludahai_twn@ mordrake@ wrote: Israel pulled out of Gaza... what did they get? A terrorist government that lobs missiles across the border at Israeli civilians... and you want to SUPPORT those barbarians?I wonder what Israel would say about closer ties with the Palestinian authority? Taiwan should say to the Israelis "fine, we'll not ramp up relations with Iran, providing you pull out of Gaza & the other illegal settlements you seem to be hell bent on. Don't forget, we also know what it’s like being told 'you are not a country', and so you'll forgive us if we sympathize with the Palestinians" August 16, 2010 carltanong@ cigars. Again you are right. The barbarians Palestinians used AK-47, outdated propelled rockets launcher and stones to fight back against the super Israeli barbarians air force, elite troopers with state of the art assault rifles, tanks, missiles, smart bomb and the barbaric Israel navy bombarded the barbarians at will and killed many innocent barbarian civilians and infants with accuracy and blown them apart into mutilated bodies all over Gaza. Even the Turkey aid ships were attacked in the international water with nine aid civilian dead by the super barbarians Israeli elite trooper. Nobody will blame you as the SUPPORTER of the Israeli barbarians. That’s your human right and freedom to conceal your eyes, mouth and ear of the truth what is now happening in Gaza. August 17, 2010 cloggedwithguts@ ludahai_twn@ wrote: but have you ever looked at the root of all the problems? the Palestinians have their land being taken from them, and not to mention that they are being treated as second-class citizens on their own land.Israel pulled out of Gaza... what did they get? A terrorist government that lobs missiles across the border at Israeli civilians... and you want to SUPPORT those barbarians? Furthermore, Israel's the 2nd-largest supplier of military technology to Beijing that you loathe with a passion, why are you defending them then? August 17, 2010 carltanong@ So sorry cigars. My comment(8/16) should be addressed to the great teacher ludahai_twn(8/12). Because the smoke of the Israeli bombing clouded with dust and blindfolded my both eyes and my hand was shaken terribly from those Israeli missiles explosion with fear. August 19, 2010 cigars898@ One question for you Carlanong. If Israel gave up all their weapons and said they wanted peace and would refuse to fight. What do you think would happen? They would be annihilated. No Question. You and everybody else know it's true. This isn't about land, it's about the Palestinians and most of the Middle East hating Jews. The Israelis, as you pointed out, have tolerance where the Palestinians have none. The super barbarian Israeli elite army could wipe them out in a matter of days if they chose to. You also over look the fact that the poor defenseless Hamas terrorists like to fire rockets and machine guns from densely populated areas and schools in hope that the Israelis will kill their or their neighbors children, just so the enemy will look more evil. They "attacked" the aid ships. Is you're TV upside down? Was my cigar smoke in your face? They "boarded" ships that had threatened to cross into Israeli seas. They boarded the ships with paintball guns (very violent). Since when do peaceful aid workers attack soldiers with guns, sticks, knives, and grenades? If someone threatens you and they say they're coming to your house, do you have to wait till they breakdown your door before you decide to protect yourself and family. That's absurd! to cloggedwithguts Very good point. It disgusts me that Israel supplies any weapons to China. Don't get me wrong. I don't agree with a lot that Israel does but I agree with a lot more with them than Iran (and that is what we're discussing right?) I'm sure Carlontong thinks China needs weapons to protect themselves from the Dalai Lama. He's very vicious you know. Maybe if the Palestinians would stop acting like 2nd class citizens they would stop treating them that way. Again, this has little to do with land and much more to do with intolerance of Jews. Iran’s puppet leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hassan Nasrallah, pretty much summed it up when he recently said “ I want all the Jews to return to Israel , that way I won’t have to hunt them down globally.” That's a lot of dead Jews. Here's a loving, caring, 2nd class citizen and Hamas supporter. If this doesn't make you sick I don't want to know you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fSvyv0urTE August 23, 2010 ludahai_twn@ cloggedwithgutsBut have you ever looked at the root of all the problems? The Palestinians have their land being taken from them, and not to mention that they are being treated as second-class citizens on their own land. ---- The Jews were prepared to accept the U.N. Partition of the land, the Arabs attacked right after Israel declared independence with the Partition boundaries. There was no such thing as a Palestinian Arab prior to 1967. Furthermore, do you know who took the West Bank and Gaza following the 1948 Arab war of aggression? The Arabs and Persians HATE the Jews and will not stop until Israel is wiped off the map. --- Furthermore, Israel's the 2nd-largest supplier of military technology to Beijing that you loathe with a passion, why are you defending them then? --- Not a big fan of this, but Israel DOES have a right to defend itself. cloggedwithguts August 28, 2010 mahminaee@ Issue is trade between Taiwan and Iran. Right?It is not business of no one else. And we are talking about Chamber of Commerce and Taitra who are Private sectors. Why governments are being high lighted and engaged?! September 6, 2010 roy_mc_coy@ Sure, it’s up to Taiwan to build friendship with whomever they choose. Even Iran! I wonder why the entire world is slapping sanctions on Iran. Maybe Taiwan can learn from Iran! Set up an embassy in Tehran too. Don’t send any women with skirts though, they may be stoned to death! October 12, 2010 paoolov@ wow, what to say...just wanna say, Israel is not a Country, it is a Shadow State of US.Israel is not any one to be counted in the business world! Politely, I would say: Israel sit down and know your position in the world. |
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Taiwan should say to the Israelis "fine, we'll not ramp up relations with Iran, providing you pull out of Gaza & the other illegal settlements you seem to be hell bent on. Don't forget, we also know what it’s like being told 'you are not a country', and so you'll forgive us if we sympathize with the Palestinians"