March for Tibet on Saturday

Bo Tedards, one of my favorite Taiwan commentators, passed this around:

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I bring to everyone's attention that there will be a rally and parade in support of Tibet this Saturday, March 10, being the annual commemoration of the Lhasa uprising of 1959 which led to the military takeover of Tibet and the exile of His Holiness and his supporters.

It starts at 9 in front of the Taipei City Council, so it should be possible to attend for a while, then slip off to the breakfast club meeting, for those of you who are planning to go to that. If I understand correctly, the few speeches (including one by His Holiness read on his behalf by his representative here), flag raising ceremony, etc. should be at the beginning of the event.

[Taiwan] [Taipei] [Tibet] [China]

CNN Channels Beijing in describing Lu

The DPP is now officially overflowing with candidates for the 2008 Presidential elections as Annette Lu tossed her fur scarf into the ring. Hardly was she out of the gate when CNN came under fire from all over for its ridiculous story that repeated insulting Chinese characterizations of Lu:(UPDATE: As the comments below pointed out, this is an AP story taken up by CNN. ).

The Presidential Office expressed concern yesterday over a story run by the Associated Press (AP) that described Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) as "the scum of the nation."

With the headline "Taiwan's `scum of the nation' runs for president," the story said Lu was an outspoken vice president that "China has called `insane' and the `scum of the nation.'"

The headline was later changed to a more moderate tone that read "Lu seeks to be first Taiwan woman president" after the Presidential Office expressed concern.

Lu said last night that she would send a letter of protest to CNN and demand an apology or an interview in order to safeguard the country's dignity.

Presidential Office spokesman David Lee (李南陽) said the AP told him that CNN, which is an AP subscriber, had changed its original headline to make it sound more sensational.

CNN's error illustrates once again how the US media thoughtlessly replicates Beijing's discourse on Taiwan. The CNN article also prepares us for the Mad Annette scenario:

She has repeatedly angered Beijing with her support for Taiwanese independence, and tensions with China would likely rise if she were elected.

On Tuesday, she again challenged Beijing's sacred view that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. "Taiwan is a Pacific country, not an affiliate of China," she said.

Taiwan has been ruled separately from China since the Communists won a civil war and took over the mainland in 1949. Beijing insists Taiwan must unify eventually or face a devastating war.

We can only shake our heads at the kind of reporting that straightfacedly argues that "tensions will rise" if a pro-democracy politician is elected President. Apparently, as with virtually all reporting on the island, tensions are not affected if Chinese packs the Strait with missiles. Can anyone pass me an MSM article that forthrightedly states that China's rising military budget is increasing tension across the Taiwan Straits?

What are Annette's chances? The CNN article cites a political analyst at [National] Taipei University:

Political analyst Chiang Min-chin of Taipei University said Lu would likely lose her ruling Democratic Progressive Party's primary. Most party members dislike her because she isn't a team player.

"Lu has good vision and a blueprint for ruling the country," Chiang said. "But many people have misunderstood her because of her uncompromising character. As a highly conceited person, she has never bothered to clarify her stance."

It is interesting that Lu can have "a good...blueprint" but be a person without a clear stance. I hope next time CNN quotes an analyst who is able to put things in more distanced terms "but many feel she is conceited" or "there is a widespread perception that Lu has a problem with arrogance."

In the main, though, Lu should have little chance of winning a primary. Still, it is good to see her hat in the ring, a reminder of how many quality politicians the DPP has.

Lu's original reaction to being the "scum of the earth" was reported by Time a while back...

TIME: Beijing directed some pretty nasty words at you last week. How did you feel being the target for such verbal abuse?

Lu: They made me famous. I took it as a compliment--targeting me like that has made me internationally well-known. Actually, I'm used to that kind of treatment. Some of the language reminded me of what the Kuomintang (KMT) accused me of 20 years ago. The KMT put me in jail for six years, but they never thought that 20 years later they would have to transfer their regime to me on behalf of the freedom fighters.

TIME: What do you think Beijing's intention was in attacking you?

Lu: I think it reflects a deliberate and considered strategy toward Taiwan. It indicates that they are running out of patience and rationality. Singling me out also shows they were trying to divide me and the President-elect and to undermine our relationship, and to press him to make a more favorable inaugural statement on May 20. Also, to criticize me was a way for them to criticize the President-elect as well, so yesterday Chen Shui-bian urged all DPP colleagues to maintain solidarity. He did not find any fault with me. He said I was being attacked on behalf of him, and that nothing could spoil the relationship between him and me. There are many internal problems in mainland China. Before they enter the World Trade Organization, so many state enterprises have to be privatized. Therefore many people will become jobless. As a result, there have been riots and internal disturbance. So in order to cover up their problems, China is trying to play up nationalism, and certainly to crack down on so-called Taiwan independence is a good excuse for them to take some irrational action. Furthermore, [Beijing] by announcing that they would be watching what the President-elect says and does before May 20 will only cause world leaders to waste some valuable time waiting for his speech. The President-elect has already cautioned that people shouldn't have too high an expectation about the speech; one speech certainly can't resolve such a long and complicated conflict. Putting everything on hold between March 18 and May 20 may just give the PLA time to prepare for something. I believe that no matter what kind of statement President Chen makes, it won't be satisfactory to China unless we surrender. Once the statement is made and the Chinese leaders express their disappointment--and use it as an excuse to take some irrational action--it will be too late. So I urge those who are concerned about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to please apply whatever preventive diplomacy is possible, such as expressing concern over the issue to Chinese leaders as soon as possible. I urge them not to underestimate the seriousness of the matter.

[Taiwan] [DPP] [Annette Lu] [CNN][2008 Presidential Election]

Nelson Report on Chen Remarks

The widely read Nelson Report, the Washington insider's report on what's happening at high altitude inside the US government, discusses the State Department's response to Chen Shui-bian's remarks at the FAPA banquet last week. The State Department, which is pro-Beijing on the Taiwan question, muted its usually misguided rhetoric. However, it appears that either nobody in Washington understands what is happening in Taipei, or else they are unwilling to talk about it with the Nelson Report. Excerpts from the Nelson Report are below (emphasis mine).

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Nelson Report Mon., Mar. 5, 2007

TAIWAN'S CHEN DOES IT AGAIN?


SUMMARY: speaking very carefully and, so far, not brandishing a big stick, the State Department today branded as "not helpful" Sunday's speech by Taiwan president Chen Shuibian, in which the pro-independence party leader came up with a new formulation...""the 4 wants"..seemingly in sarcastic opposition to the "4 noes" which the US and the PRC have enforced, in recent years, in the name of maintaining the status quo between China and Taiwan.

Chen spoke less than a week after the US offered to sell Taiwan several hundred missiles to help counter China's steady military buildup across the Strait. Today, defending the speech, Taiwan National Security Council secretary-general Mark Chen argued the speech showed that Taiwan has "the guts" to stand up to the US. "We don't always have to be well-behaved. Sometimes we must be bad." Reaction from Beijing was immediate and negative, but the key always is to see if the displeasure and rhetoric escalates. Back in 2003, Chen remarks, and an inconsistent reaction from the Bush Administration, helped set in motion the PRC's passage of the Anti-Secession Law.

Taiwan's stock market registered an immediate "protest" sinking 3.74% on Monday, while the Taiwan dollar weakened against the US dollar.

So far, it does not sound like Chen's remarks have been officially briefed to President Bush with an eye to seeking a more robust, if back-channel US reaction; recall what happened almost exactly one year ago, following Chen's 2005 New Year's speech on constitutional reform. At that time, your Editor came under some fire for reporting, accurately, Bush's strong personal displeasure at what he saw as Chen breaking earlier promises not to induce risk into the peaceful status quo.

This time, to a pro-independence group, FAPA, Chen went beyond his customary formulation that the real status quo is Taiwan already is independent, to say Taiwan has "wants" independence, a new constitution, more economic development, and an official change of name from "Republic of China" to "Taiwan".

While the Administration reaction today was firm, but low key...depending on further consultations...unofficial reaction here was very strong, the central point being that while Chen can't change the law, he can refocus the domestic political debate, and the new language clearly seems aimed at a future change, rather than claiming a pre-existing condition or status quo situation.

Therefore, by definition, Chen's speech Sunday seems directly aimed at altering the status quo...the "red line" consistently laid down by the Bush Administration in its effort to keep both Taipei and Beijing from reacting and over-reacting to each other in risky ways.

One very involved non-government observer privately commented, "this is as flagrant and blatant violation of the letter and spirit of the "4-noes" as Chen has ever done."


Another experienced observer was equally unhappy, but urged focus on the difference between rhetoric and action: "legally binding actions are hard, and Chen can't do legally binding things without cooperation from the [opposition] KMT and the LY, so as long as the Pan Blue opposes legal changes, nothing can happen."

..........

When Chen made his 2005 New Years speech, the internal US split was less strident, but still caused some confusion as Taipei found itself more comfortable with the interpretation of President Bush's personal concerns as explained by the NSC's Dennis Wilder, than it did the far more robust version relayed by senior officials at the Department of State, including then-Deputy Secretary Bob Zoellick.

Let's leave final word for tonite to former State Department spokesman and senior Adult Supervisor on all things Asian, Alan Romberg, who translates the specific terms used by Chen on Sunday, and warns:

"..there are some significant differences from Mr. Chen's past positions which will likely cause significant irritation in Washington....Si yao, yi meiyou is not a direct violation of Mr. Chen's si bu, yi meiyou pledge [of restraint]. But advocacy of these positions is a violation of Mr. Chen's pledges to maintain the status quo and to promote peace and stability, and it is at direct odds with American national interests. However the US Government chooses to formally address his remarks, this cannot help diminishing even further the level of trust that Washington has in Mr. Chen."

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It is hard to tell, but apparently the State Department may be responding to the withering criticism it received for its pro-Beijing overreaction to the local name changes (Tancredo's snarky letter, John Tkacik's excellent review, Richard Armitage's comments, my own acerbic views). To recap, after Chen proposed removing the name "China" from various Taiwan companies, and restoring the name "Taiwan," the State Department said:

In a particularly strong statement, McCormack also said the changes could affect Taiwan's "relationship with others," a possible warning that US-Taiwan ties would be hurt if President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) goes ahead with his plans.

McCormack said that Chen's actions on the issue "will be a test of leadership, dependability and statesmanship."

To underscore its concern, the department also took the seldom-used step of issuing a formal statement, in addition to the comments made by McCormack in answer to a question at his daily press briefing.

The State Department was rightly lambasted for its overreaction, which seemed especially unacceptable since it routinely accepts pro-China violations of the elusive Status Quo, such as the Anti-Succession Law ("unhelpful"), the visits by KMT leaders to China (which it warmly approved of), and China's military buildup (a vast abyss of silence).

Note that this time it publicly stated that such comments were "unhelpful." This was a welcome comedown. However, judging from the other statements made, it appears that Taiwan experts in the US government have no idea of the context of Chen's remarks: purely for domestic consumption. As I pointed out earlier, it's exactly the same as when he shut down the National Reunificational Council: it's all about domestic identity politics. Since the TSU is moving to a less openly hawkish position on independence, and since the DPP and the TSU compete for the same Green voter base, Chen has no choice but to keep affirming Taiwan's independence to quell the threat from his right. Make no mistake: although TSU candidates can't get elected, they can poach enough votes from the DPP to impact DPP chances -- Chen Chu won Kaohsiung by only 1,000 votes after the TSU candidate poached 6,500 votes from the Green vote.

Further, Chen was speaking to the FAPA banquet in Taipei. FAPA is a pro-Taiwan organization based in Washington, and it is generally held that Taiwanese groups in the US are more openly pro-independence than those in Taiwan. Chen also has to stoke the hopes of those supporters. I hope when the State Department lays this out for the President and other senior advisors, it takes the time to clearly place Chen's remarks in their domestic political context.

It is hard to believe that anyone who understands Taiwan could imagine that Chen's statements are some radical change from things he's said before. Chen has talked incessantly about the Constitutional revisions -- which are entirely necessary -- and about independence. The State Department has bought into my favorite bogeyman, Mad Chen, the Crazed Independence Rogue. It's also disheartening to see the Nelson Report reproducing the erroneous claim that the local stock market fell because of what Chen said, when in fact it the fall was region-wide.

I'm curious to see how State reacts when "moderates" like Su get elected and the same thing happens: they proclaim pro-independence positions. The US government needs to get into the habit of downplaying the effect of such talk, since it is purely for domestic consumption, or it will constantly embarrass itself. As one observer correctly noted, Chen cannot do anything, since overwhelming public support for open independence in Taiwan is lacking, and the legislature is controlled by the pro-China parties.

The sad part is, in a few weeks everyone will have forgotten these remarks. Meanwhile China will keep packing Fukien with missiles, and the State Department will continue to look on benignly. Clearly State has its political and ethical priorities mixed up. As I and others have repeatedly noted, State's constant rush to comfort Beijing will only fuel Beijing's sense of entitlement to an island it does not and has never owned.

[Taiwan] [US] [China] [Chen Shui-bian] [US Foreign Policy] [Taiwan Independence] [DPP] [KMT]

Cassidy & Associates in WaPo

My friend Joel Haas clued me in to the fact that the Washington Post is profiling Cassidy & Associates, the powerful and successful lobbying firm that Taiwan has used:

Over the next five weeks, The Washington Post will tell Gerald Cassidy's story in a unique way. On Monday, the series will jump to the newspaper's Web site, washingtonpost.com, to begin a 25-chapter serial narrative that will describe how Cassidy built his business, how he made the deals that earned his millions, how he and his fellow-lobbyists influenced decisions of government and helped create the money-centric culture of modern Washington.

[Taiwan]

President Floats Name Change Trial Balloon

With the legislative elections on the agenda for December, identity politics are already in full bore. We already had the experience of 2-28, and with the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law in 1987 happening in July, we can expect plenty more use of the same tactics by the DPP. Meanwhile the President, competing with the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) led by former President Lee Teng-hui for the pro-Taiwan core vote, called for name change to "Taiwan" at the FAPA banquet the other day:

President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) announcement on the new "four yeses and one no" policy sparked mixed reactions from the ruling and opposition parties yesterday. While some mocked his statement as political kudos to rally up votes for the upcoming elections, others say they will not comment until they have learned more about the new policy.

At a dinner event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, a Washington D.C.-based pro-Taiwan independence organization, Chen said that what Taiwan needs right now is to embrace a "four yeses and one no policy," namely yes to independence, a new constitution, further development, and to ratify the name "Taiwan" as the country's official name.

"Taiwan must join the United Nations by using 'Taiwan' as its official title because it is the best name," said Chen.

Chen also said Taiwan will not be polarized by having a left or right wing. Some interpreted that comment as a direct rebuttal against former President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), who earlier in the day openly criticized the Chen administration.

What does Chen mean? The same thing he meant when he shut down the National Reunificational Council: it's all about domestic identity politics. Look for similar talk the whole year -- the DPP successfully used this tactic in the Presidential election in 2004 -- and they will reach for it again. Meanwhile, Lee, who has been hacking on the President lately, was put in his place by the DPP spokesman:

In response to Lee's criticism, DPP Legislative Secretary General Wang Tuoh (王拓) pointed out that during the 12 years that Lee was president, he had not done what he was asking Chen to do, despite the fact that he had control over the Legislature.

As many have noted, the new legislative redistricting, and the shrinking of the legislature, both impact the small parties negatively, especially the TSU. The redistricting strongly favors the KMT, impacting the TSU, which competes for the pro-Green base with the DPP. Lee, the "spiritual head" of the TSU, has no choice but to attack the DPP's commitment to independence, and Chen has no choice but to keep affirming that commitment. Hence, a structural fallout of the DPP-TSU competition in Taiwan's identity politics is the constant aggressive chatter on independence in a bid to retain voters who identify with that political outcome.


[Taiwan] [US] [China] [Chen Shui-bian] [US Foreign Policy] [Taiwan Independence] [DPP] [KMT]

The Third Person

One of the more comical slanders of the KMT is the constant pointing out of the way Chen Shui-bian sometimes refers to himself in the third person. Thus you see claims that this is "creepy" or "doesn't bode well". It also crops out in the mainstream media discourse, which the KMT excels at influencing. Even veteran Taiwan observer Lawrence Eyton feels compels to point out that Chen refers to himself in the third person, as does the Taipei Times. Why anyone would be bothered by the President's references to himself in the first and third person is a mystery to me.

Of course, as maddog pointed out to me, when Ma Ying-jeou does it, it occasions no mention in any kind of press. For example, as he said the other day.

While acknowledging that his recent indictment on corruption charges was a setback, Ma expressed confidence that the KMT would win in the race next year.

"The setbacks and humiliations I've faced in the last six months were more than what I've encountered in my entire life. But I am not afraid. Ma Ying-jeou will not be defeated," he added.

Think that's creepy? Bodes ill? Nah. But when you are committed to belittling President Chen, any old thing will do.

[Taiwan] [KMT] [DPP] [media] [Chen Shui-bian] [Ma Ying-jeou]

Chen, Suicide, and 2-28

Ma Ying-jeou, indicted embezzler and alleged student spy, said something quite interesting yesterday while attacking President Chen:

While urging the government to focus its efforts on taking care of public livelihood, Ma promised to work on improving the domestic economy and to push for social harmony if elected as president.

"More than 23,00 people commit suicide every year, but the government only cares about tearing down the walls surrounding CKS hall," Ma said while attending a ceremony to celebrate the founding of his group of supporters in Jhonghe City (中和).

As the group vowed to spare no effort in helping Ma win the elections next year, Ma, who declared his candidacy early last month, pledged to demonstrate his determination in pursuing the presidency and seeking a solution to the nation's plight.

Why the mention of suicide? The actual figure, around 4,800, is not really the issue. The claim that Chen's mismanagement of the economy and society has incited Taiwanese to kill themselves is actually a standard KMT propaganda claim. The KMT has a problem: the first two leaders, Chiang Kai-shek and his son, Chiang Ching-kuo, were out and out murderers. The Party killed tens of thousands in Taiwan, and millions on the mainland. This is a hard reputation to live down.

Nevertheless, it is trying. How? As Christian Schafferer points out in a recently given paper, during the anti-Chen campaign of last fall, the Hong Kong rag Yazhou Zhoukan ran a cover story that claimed that 16,000 had committed suicide over the years of the Chen Administration, and that this score exceeded the numbers rung up by the KMT during the White Terror years on Taiwan. The suicide claim is not an isolated claim designed to make Chen take the blame for Taiwan's complex economic problems. It is a deeper claim aimed at whitewashing the KMT for its crimes against humanity and stemming the tide of justice for just a little longer.

[Taiwan] [KMT] [DPP] [Hong Kong] [2-28] [suicide] [Chen Shui-bian]

Pasuya Yao is baaaaaack!

LastyYear Jason over at Wandering to Tamshui and I had a fine time tracking the silliness of former GIO head Pasuya Yao. Whenever there was a slow week, we could rely on Pasuya to pull us out of the blogging doldrums. The kickass blog That's impossible! reports that Pasuya is back and running for a city council seat in Kaohsiung. Jason's wonderful old posts on Pasuya are many, but...

Pasuya watch 3 captures Him in His Glory, and certainly number 2 is a classic, quoted herein:

first reported the humiliating legal slings and arrows the former GIO Minister has faced since taking his leave last month, leaving many Pasuya-philes in a state of high anxiety. David at Jujuflop then chronicled the Pasuyian Ascention last week, reporting that Pasuya is seriously mulling (and by "mulling," I mean "making up his mind before all the relevant information comes in and then blaming everyone else when the plan ultimately backfires") a run at the Kaohsiung City mayorship at the end of the year.

The Pasuy-Agape continues to flow for the growing community of underground Yao worshippers (three and counting!) as the Infallible One stepped back into the news last night to defend his bold (most would say foolhardy) decision to renew the trashy Dongsen (東森) News S's broadcasting license, and reign verbal blows down upon the false prophets at the Executive Yuan Appeals Committee who have blasphemously agreed to reverse His decision.

Calling the reversal a "loss for professionalism, and a loss for the path to media reform," Pasuya refused to admit that it also represented a loss for Himself or the GIO, arguing that the GIO had made the decision only after bringing media experts on board to conduct an excruciatingly detailed and drawn out study on the options available (Translation: paid a bunch of professors to sit around and watch entertainment news). The reversal of the decision, therefore, has left Him baffled ("大惑不解").

Yao said He had decided not to renew S's license because the sensational news it reported disturbed viewers, which does much to further the theory that he is the product of a wise and patient God who wishes audiences across the Beautiful Island to watch crappy home-grown Taiwanese soap operas instead of highly addictive crappy Korean dramas. Furthermore, He noted that after the plug had been pulled on S, the overall media atmosphere began to change in Taiwan, revealing the true significance of His media reform drive. According to the appeals committee's logic, He went on, infractions can't be penalized and all that offending parties have to do is explain themselves, and basically creates a system of permanent broadcasting licenses.

Sounds like the Executive Yuan just signed itself up for lifetime subscriptions to Locust Plague Monthly and River of Blood Fancy. Steer clear accordingly, and for God's sake don't contradict Pasuya's Word, for it is the Truth!

We Pasuya-philes are certainly looking forward to The Great Yao ascending to a council seat in Kaohsiung, promising us at least one term of undiluted entertainment.
.
On a more serious note, That's Impossible! also says he has a source that Lin Yi-hsiung may run for President. I find that hard to believe....

[Taiwan]

Swenson's Meet Up March 10: Venue Change

Jerome Keating sends word of the Swenson's Meetup on the 10th. Please note the changed location:

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To all,

The Breakfast Club: Synergy and Serendepity--making things happen by getting together.

We will meet on Saturday March 10th at 10 am at Shannon Pub.

Speakers: Rick Monday and Bill Thissen of ICRT. (Rick has the morning show and Bill has Jazz Flavors)

Here is your chance to hear them speak on their goals, vision, and ideas for ICRT as well as to provide them with your thoughts, wishes, input etc. A good chance for interaction and give and take.

Venue: Shannon Pub, # 6 Dun Hua N. Road. It is across from the Taipei Arena; and south of Asiaworld.

How to get there: Take any bus to the corner of Dun Hua N. Road and Nanking E. Road. Go to the southwest corner of Dun Hua N. Road and Nanking East Road and walk south about a half a block.
You can also take the MRT to the FuHsing/Nanking Station. Exit and walk east on Nanking to Dun Hua. Then cross Nanking and walk south a half a block.

We are changing venue and so may not have the same breakfast selection as Swensen's but we will have more room and more quiet. Prices may be a tad higher; Shannon's is working with us to meet our needs and I think it will work out for the best. Our starting time is a little later but should give all a better chance to find the new place.

Look to see you there.

Jerome

UPDATE: Jerome adds the menu possibilities.

250 NT: Omelet with fries (3 eggs, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and cheese)
250 NT: Chicken sandwich with fries (grilled chicken breast, saute onion, lettuce, and tomato)
300 NT: Traditional Irish Breakfast - Choice of egg, grilled pork sausage, bacon, fried tomato, baked beans, and toast.
Breakfast menu including choice of OJ, coffee, or tea

[Taiwan]

Name Rectification: Why Now?

There have been lots of complaints around the web and in the media that the name changes have come too late, that they should have happened earlier, that it is all for the next election....

How come the Chen Administration didn't change the names back in 2000 when they were first elected? It's hard now to recall those heady days, but let me point out a few things:

-- Chen had no confidence he'd win another election -- he'd only received 39% of the vote. It is pointless to change names that will only be changed back when the new administration came in. The current wave shows the DPP's growing confidence, openly expressed by Chen in an interview yesterday, that they have the advantage in '08 and the name changes will be permanent.

-- the first Premier was Tang Fei, a Blue.

-- the Administration was under fire for its decision to shut down the nuclear plant.

-- the Administration had no experience of national government and was still feeling its way through the issues.

-- Oh yeah, it was facing a recall vote at that time too. Remember? Every time Chen has tried to do something, the Blue team has attempted to have him recalled.

-- Chen had received a huge dose of support as Taipei mayor from people hoping for energetic and efficient administration, which he delivered, in spades. In 2000 there was probably still the belief that there were "moderate voters" or "swing voters" who would go over to the Greens if the DPP moved cautiously. Over time -- and particular during the 2004 presidential election -- both parties have realized that the electorate is polarized into three groups, Blues, Greens, and non-voters who have declared a plague on both houses, but who are more likely to be disaffected Greens. Chen need no longer please "moderates" since they are few and far between.

-- there was still some lingering fear China would do something.

No doubt the name changes were withheld for election purposes. Guess what: the DPP has to win elections; it is a political party. Can anyone describe a scenario in which the name changes could be made and (1) not be seen as political and (2) not fall near an election? If the DPP can leverage this into election victory, more power to 'em.

[Taiwan] [DPP] [Chen Shui-bian] [name rectification]

CKS to be renamed

Happiness is a cooler full of imported sausage at the Black Bridge store in downtown Taichung.

Both the English and Chinese-language news services are reporting that the revolting memorial to the dictator and murderer Chiang Kai-shek is getting its name changed.

Despite resistance from the opposition, senior government leaders decided yesterday to rename the Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) Memorial Hall to the Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall and to remodel it into a showcase of achievements of Taiwan's democratization.

The name change was part of a drive to rectify Taiwan's title and to redefine the role of late President Chiang Kai-shek who has been defined by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party as the mastermind who ordered the 228 massacre in 1947.

Minister of Education Cheng-sheng announced the decision after consulting at length with senior cabinet officials, including Public Construction Commission Chairman Wu Tse-cheng, Council for Economic Planning and Development Vice Chairman Chang Ching-sen (張景森), Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission Chairman Shih Neng-chieh, Government Information Office Minister Cheng Wen-tsang (鄭文燦).

However, the participants did not decide when the memorial hall will have a new name or undergo other renovation projects to further other functions.

Explaining reasons for the name change, Chu Nan-hsien, director of the department of social education at the Minatory of Education, said the government decided to rename the CKS memorial hall because the hall has long been used as the site for pro-democracy activities. It is no exaggeration to say that the hall has witnessed the history of Taiwan's democratization, he said.

The area housing the National Concert Hall and the National Theater will also be renamed to the Taiwan Democracy Park, Chu said, adding that the participants have not yet decided on whether to tear down long walls facing the main streets on its four sides, as those walls were considered to have hindered access to the park by people with disabilities, Chu said.

The walls were there to channel crowds and make protests easier to control. It's time for them to come down. Good move, and good riddance.

[Taiwan]

Raytheon, Taiwan, Score Big

Congratulations are due to the Raytheon rep in Taiwan, who inked a big deal for missiles for Taiwan's airforce:

The possible sale, requested by Taiwan, would involve the purchase of nearly 600 sophisticated missiles that would be used in F-16s to counter a Chinese attack across the Taiwan Strait. The announcement comes at a time when the Pentagon continues to be frustrated at the pan blue-dominated Legislative Yuan's refusal to approve the purchase of a package of US weapons promised to Taiwan by US President George W. Bush in 2001. Reports have said the US has made it clear it will not sell additional advanced F-16 fighters to
Taiwan unless the arms sales package is approved.

The announcement, by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which handles foreign arms sales, put the value of the sale at up to US$421 million. It would consist of 218 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), 235 AGM-65G2 Maverick Missiles, test missiles, 48 missile launchers, training missiles and various support systems and assistance programs.

Desperately needed. The US had withheld the previous delivery of AMRAAMs, as the Taipei Times reports, until 2002.

[Taiwan]

Urban Nomad Film Festival: Call for Entries

An interesting-looking local film festival seeks entries (scroll down for English):

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城市遊牧影展 2007

既日起短片競賽開始徵件 獎金5000元 !!!

全台唯一地下獨立影展—城市遊牧影展。 今年影片競賽開始徵件！ 展期將預定於四月底或 五月初開幕，另諸公佈敬請期待。

徵選主題在於影片能推進至邊界、 挑戰傳統技法、 甚至能擊中要害之特質； 基本上未參 加過其他影展的作品。 其類型可為 ：實驗電影或錄影帶、動畫、 喜劇短片、 政治、 音樂、 滑板、 衝浪、 性別專題、 外籍勞工問題、 網路短片、 北韓與伊拉克之記錄片等主題 均在徵選範圍內。受於放映時段場次的限制， 我們會統籌分類並盡力安排播放影片， 僅此希望更多的短片投件 (15分鐘以內之短片)，也希望能推動各國作品相互了解， 並將優先審查加附有中文或英文 對白字幕之作品。

一旦您的影片被受邀， 我們將誠摯的邀請您參予開幕酒會、 及場次前與觀眾對談或講解， 更於其中選出最佳短片贏得獎金5000元等機會。

城市游牧影展由兩位外籍記者David Frazier與Sean Scanlan於2002年成立。城市遊牧影展為台灣唯一獨立影展。主旨在於藉由短片電影與地下獨立電影而創造出嶄新的社群感 (communityfeeling)。曾經於2002至2004年在台北華山藝文特區舉辦，2005年於台北的寶藏岩舉行，2006年再次回到華山舉辦。2006年的場次每天約8小時左右，上演4個晚上，吸引了300多觀眾。其他巡演經驗，也分別於台中20號倉庫兩次，以及台北政治大學一次。

收件日期: 即日起至 2007年3月26日

徵片規格: DVD, MPEG, VCD(我們可能會請您另提供 mini DV beta SP 或其他影像效果較佳的形式規格)

寄件地址: 臺北市金門街12巷1弄2號
任何疑問請洽: urbannomadfilmfest@gmail.com
下載申請表格: http://www.urbannomadfilmfest.blogspot.com
或來電: 0930-371-036 or 0922-428-070

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URBAN NOMAD 2007: CALL FOR FILMS

IT'S ON!!! NT$5000 Prize for best short film

Urban Nomad , Taiwan 's only underground film festival, is seeking entries for this year's big to-do, which will be held in Taipei in late April/ early May.

We want films that push boundaries, challenge conventions, have local flavor or alternative views and in all kinds of ways really hit home.

We like: experimental film/ video, animation, comedic shorts, political documentary, music documentary, skateboard/ surfing, gender, migrant workers, Internet shorts, etc.

Due to our limited schedule, there are only so many films we can show, so shorter films (under 15 minutes) stand a greater chance of getting accepted. Also, films need to be accessible to both English and Chinese speaking audiences, which means films with subtitles and subject matter pertinent to Taiwan will be given priority.

If your film is accepted, you will be invited to an opening party, toasted royally, and potentially asked to speak before the screening of your film. We are also offering a cash prize of NT$5,000 for the best original short from Taiwan -- regardless of category.

Urban Nomad was founded in Taipei in 2002 by two expatriate journalists in Taiwan , David Frazier and Sean Scanlan, and is possibly the festival in Taiwan that is both fully independent and receives no government funding. The ongoing project is to create a community-oriented film environment and put an end to the impersonal 'black box' movie theater environment where hundreds of people can watch films without really noticing each other as human beings. We've held our five festivals to date in warehouse or outdoor spaces at Taipei 's Huashan Arts District and Treasure Hill. In 2006 we also held screenings at National Chengchi University .

Application deadline: March,26

Format: DVD, MPEG, VCD (for some accepted films, we may later ask for mini DV, beta SP or other high quality versions)

Subtitling: The festival aims to be bilingual in Chinese and English.

Films with subtitles will be preferred. We reserve the right to refuse films without subtitles.

Fee: There is no fee, but we will ask you to sign a release form giving us permission to show your film.

SEND APPLICATIONS TO:Urban Nomad
#2, Alley 1, Lane 12, Jinmen St. , Taipei , Taiwan

Questions/contact: urbannomadfilmfest@gmail.com Attn: David Frazier or Sean Scanlan

Download application forms: http://www.urbannomadfilmfest.blogspot.com

Tel: 0930-371-036 or 0922-428-070

[Taiwan] [film]

Okinawan Deaths in 2-28

Taiwan News tells the fascinating tale of the killings among the Okinawan community in Taiwan during 2-28.

At that time, traders and fisherman came from Okinawa to Taiwan unaware of the chaos that the February 28th uprising against the then KMT governor general Chen Yi had caused. As a result, many became embroiled in the 228 massacre and lost their lives when KMT troops, dispatched by Republic of China president and autocrat Chiang Kai-shek to suppress the "rebellion," arrived.

At that time, approximately 300 Okinawans lived in a fishing community on Keelung's Sheliao Island (now known as Peace Island).

After the end of the Second World War and the substantive take over of Taiwan after five decades of Japanese rule by the KMT regime under the cover of occupation, this community of Okinawans, as with many Japanese professionals or essential workers, had been "retained for utilization" in Taiwan after the repatriation of most Japanese.

No distinction made

When KMT troops, from of the First Battalion of the 21st Military Police Regiment dispatched by Chiang from China arrived in Keelung harbor, they did not distinguish between persons from Okinawa with Japanese citizenship or Taiwanese and thus Sheliao Island became one of the first settlements to witness the following islandwide massacre and "purification" and at least 30 Okinawans became victims along with thousands of Taiwanese.

After the 228 massacre and the "purification" of dissidents that followed, the flight of the KMT regime to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War to the Chinese Communist Party's People's Liberation Army led to a deeper and more systematic "White Terror" marked by the (probably illegal) declaration of martial law on May 19, 1949 that lasted for over 38 years until July 15, 1987.

During these four decades of what one international human rights group called a "tortured silence," the story of the 228 victims from Okinawa and their right to know the fate of their loved ones and the truth behind their disappearance was buried along with any hopes for transitional justice.

[Taiwan] [Japan] [Okinawa] [2-28] [KMT] [White Terror]

Swenson Meet Up Postponed

Jerome sends word that the Swensons Meet Up has been postponed to the second saturday in March.

[Taiwan]