林保華

David Wu's firm stance riles China        Taipei Times  010417
By Paul Lin 林保華

US Representative David Wu (吳振偉), of Oregon, wraps up a visit to his native Taiwan today. He wanted to visit Hong Kong, Shanghai and Suzhou too, but the Beijing authorities have refused to allow him in because they believe he has been unfriendly to them during his two terms as a representative.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice have not been friendly either, but China has eagerly invited them to visit Beijing in the hope they might change their minds after having a good stay, some good meals and some good fun. Jesse Helms, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has repeatedly declined Beijing's invitations to visit. Helms, who is known for his anti-communist stance, believes he does not have to visit Beijing in order to understand China.

Taiwan also worthy of a referendum         990906 Taipei Times
Paul Lin

Overall, the referendum held in East Timor on Aug. 30 deciding the territory's future (a choice between independence or autonomy within Indonesia) went smoothly. Consistent with the general expectations, the referendum proved to be a victory for the pro-independence faction. However, even if East Timor now declares independence, the pro-unification groups will continue to use all means available, including violence, to disrupt the realization of independence. And even after it overcomes all these roadblocks to independence, East Timor, hardly well-endowed with natural resources, has a long way to go in development. In any event, the free expression of the popular will through a peacefully conducted referendum is in itself highly significant and encouraging.

East Timor is a former colony of Portugal. However, Portugal was forced to withdraw from East Timor in 1974 due to political unrest at home. A power vacuum was therefore created in East Timor. The democratic republic hastily established in East Timor at the time was less than stable. Indonesia seized the opportunity and invaded East Timor in 1975, then annexed it the following year.