Powell must apologize for remarks

[dArKeR]

During an interview last week in Beijing, US Secretary of State Colin Powell made some surprising remarks regarding the cross-strait relationship, saying that "Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation," and that the two sides should move forward to a "peaceful reunification."

Powell's comments clearly deviated from the US policy of supporting "peaceful resolution," "opposing any unilateral change of the status quo by either side of the Taiwan Strait," and "doing best to assist Taiwan in self defense." The deviation became the center of public concern.

President Chen Shui-bian (³¯¤ô«ó) immediately reiterated during three separate meetings with foreign guests that "the existence of Republic of China is a fact and Taiwan is definitely an independent and sovereign country, as well as a great country; it most certainly does not belong to the People's Republic of China and this is the status quo, as well as the fact." Chen also said that "whether or not other countries hold formal diplomatic relationships with Taiwan neither impacts nor changes the fact and reality that either the Republic of China or Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country."

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/10/31/2003209113

[Erika]

1. Bush's Corporate Globalism on the Move

The Hell with Independence for Taiwan, we have corporate profits to consider. Powell is the biggest disappointment I've ever experienced from a Black person in power.

[Maple]

2. Powell simply repeated

the position the US has held since 1979, however much Taiwan wants to complain about it for the locals.

[Kallisti8]

3. One China

This is really about the "One China" debate thing.

"What Every American Should Know About The Rest Of The World" does a pretty good job of explaining the situation. See, China views Taiwan as a part of China, albiet the Capitalist stronghold created during the revolution. China is pretty happy letting Taiwan do what it will, so long as it publicly states that it's still part of One China, no matter how oxymoronic it is.

As soon as Taiwan does declare actual independance, war breaks out.

It's kinda' like Canada or UK being the 51st and 52nd state. They can do what they want, so long as they toe the US line.

[Bucky]

4. "like Canada or UK being the 51st and 52nd state"

If you're going to troll for attack threads, you have to be a little more clever than that.