Opening Speech of the General Secretary to the UNPO General Assembly
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
VIII General Assembly
27 – 29 October, 2006
Honourable Members of the Government and the Parliament of
Distinguished Representative of the
Distinguished Delegates of UNPO Members,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, on behalf of the 63 Members of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, and so in the name of more than 200 million people, I would like to convey my gratitude to you all for honouring me with your distinguished presence and with your remarkable contributions to the VIII General Assembly of our organisation.
Thank you also for your warm and generous welcome. It was both more than I deserve, and, if I am honest, more than I am used to.
This day, here in
It is not by chance that UNPO made the choice, more than a year ago, to make this moment here in
Taiwanese Identity and Taiwanese Democracy have become intertwined and inseparable, a true treasure for every individual and citizen of
Allow me to be direct for a moment. It is difficult to see how far the Chinese and Taiwanese governments might travel along the path of reconciliation over the next few years.
Nevertheless, small steps of progress might always promise hope. These include enhanced cross-strait economic and personnel exchanges, improving the atmosphere somewhat and so maintaining tensions under control. Perhaps there is hope even for a resumption and revival of cross-strait dialogue in a region that remains dangerous.
The anti-secession law, passed in March 2005, is among the recent PRC pronouncements that have indicated a firm stance on the question of independence, but with small signs of flexibility in relation to other cross-strait issues.
Notably, though ultimately enacting the law, President Hu Jintao is said to have moved away from considerations of a definite time-table for reunification, a concept much discussed under Jiang Zemin.
Meanwhile, Chinese leaders also have warned that possible constitutional changes, affirming
The push towards reforms strengthening
Current circumstances provide important assurances that cross-strait tensions can be kept within bounds, staving off the threat of military conflict and confrontation until the end of President Chen’s term in 2008. The Chinese leadership, whilst flexible on some issues, remains ultimately constrained by strong nationalism and undemocratic policies.
Political experts and analysts continue to debate whether
However, there are possibilities for progress and smaller steps, including enhanced exchanges, an improved atmosphere, and perhaps a revival of formal cross-strait dialogues.
Nevertheless, misunderstandings and miscalculations still stand poised to lead to an uncertainty and dangerous situations.
Policy has confirmed
In the last years
How can the European Parliament’s Resolution on democratisation and the respect for Human Rights in
In this respect, the question of the participation and representation of the democratic State of Taiwan at the UN remains unresolved. It represents the unjust exclusion of
Considering the important role played by Taiwan in several international organisations, notably the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), as well as its full diplomatic relations with 23 UN Member States, including 120 embassies, general consulates and representative offices worldwide, Taiwan’s efficiency, democratic ideals and dynamism should be beyond question.
UNPO considers the time ripe to call for justice and equal rights, and to end the conventio ad exludendum of
Finally, and in closing, let me also once again express my gratitude to the Right Honourable Ken-Marti Vaher, former minister of Justice of Estonia, and present here today to remind us all of that UNPO was born as an idea in
The Cold War still raged on, the Soviet Empire had not yet collapsed.
This was a different, older world, another millennium.
We stand here today, ready to launch a new UNPO, able and ready to face the challenges of the new world order that has yet to come.
And if our spirits are right, and our courage firm, the new world will be with us.
Delivered by UNPO General Secretary, Marino Busdachin, to the Opening of the VIII UNPO General Assembly, 27 October 2006,