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Protest against U.N.Dear Taiwanese Students, As many of our fellow Taiwanese are suffering by the most devastating earthquake in recent Taiwan history, we all wonder what we can do for our country. Here is one thing we ought to do: Protest U.N. for its "inhumane act". The following news is an excerpt from Yahoo few hours later after the quake. GENEVA (Reuters) - U.S. and Asian experts flew to Taiwan Tuesday to help rescue operations after a massive earthquake, while the United Nations awaited a go-ahead from China before launching its own coordinating mission. Search and rescue teams from Britain, Austria, Germany, Russia and Switzerland were also on standby, Fabrizio Gentiloni, deputy director of the U.N.'s disaster response branch in Geneva, said. But the United Nations itself was held back by the fact it does not recognize Taiwan and needed China's approval. Chinese diplomats in New York were to discuss the issue of a U.N. role with Sergio Vieira de Mello, undersecretary-general in charge of humanitarian affairs, later in the day, Gentiloni said. UN FACES DIPLOMATIC PREDICAMENT U.N. relief experts played a key role in coordinating foreign search and rescue teams from 35 countries in Turkey's huge earthquake, which killed at least 15,500 people last month. They are keen to breach any gaps in Taiwan, but face a diplomatic predicament and want to avoid ruffling feathers at a time of strained relations between the mainland and Taiwan. Taiwan has requested international assistance, and U.N. officials are playing a facilitating role by passing on information to donor countries. Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a rebel province, has yet to invite in the world body to deploy on the ground, although six U.N. experts have been ``mobilized,'' Gentiloni said. ``This is a sensitive issue,'' he told Reuters. ``We would rather do it in a way that does not disturb the environment between the two parties, China and Taiwan.'' ``A U.N. team is prepared to coordinate those teams on the ground. As a humanitarian department we are ready to deploy and assist,'' he added. ``We are awaiting the formal position from the Beijing authorities.'' Now, we should start a campaign to protest U.N for its inhumane for 2 reasons. First, although Taiwan is not a member of U.N, which is due to the pressure from Chinese government and U.N.'s ignorance to Taiwan's right of self-determination, U.N. humanitarian department should not delay his "humanitarian" rescue mission simply because of the concern of China. Second, a natural disaster like the earthquake took place in Taiwan yesterday, U.N. should put the political issues between Taiwan and China aside and deploy its rescue team immediately. After all, by the time the undersecretary-general Gentiloni finds a way "not disturb the environment between two parties", 4000 Taiwanese trapped inside the collapsed buildings are already dead. After that, what U.N. should send is not rescue teams, but funeral services. Although 30 hours later after the earthquake, Chinese government "surprisingly" agrees to deploy U.N. rescue teams to Taiwan, the chance to save these people trapped inside is diminished because the first 24 hours after earthquake is most crucial time for rescue missions and U.N misses that opportunity. Therefore, the issues stated above still stand. We need to write a letter to protest U.N. Humanitarian Department for its inhumane act. Please send your protest to comments@reliefweb.int. Here is the sample letter or you are encouraged to write your own version. Dear Sirs, As a Taiwanese student, I must protest against the way your organization is handling Taiwan's request for help at the recent earthquake in Taiwan. An organization called "humanitarian" should be operated beyond political differences. However, the decision to halt the deployment of rescue mission to Taiwan due to concern of China's objection reveals nothing but hypocrisy of U.N. Humanitarian Department. According to the undersecretary-general Gentiloni's comments, it seems that the definition of "humanitarian" can be tailored by a dictatorial country like China, and the life of Taiwanese people can be ignored. Taiwan is a fully democratic country, which fulfills all the requirement to join the U.N. In addition to being qualified for a U.N. member, Taiwan is already a model member for its contribution to the international society. Donating $300 million to Kosovo is one of best examples. However, under the circumstance of China's objection in the vote of security counsel, perhaps denying Taiwan's membership for U.N. is understood. Yet delaying a humanitarian mission because of concern of Chinese government is absolutely unjustifiable. In fact, it's inhuman! Therefore, I would like to ask you to disregard any political pressure and deploy all the help available to Taiwanese people immediately. Regards,
Your name School Name ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taiwan is our country regardless our political opinions or differences. Please act and save our beloved families or friends now! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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