Taiwan hopes fee continued relations with Marshalls
p. 13 · Read in the full issue
By Glft Johnson
The Republic of China’s ambassador to the Marshall Islands says it is his hope that the close ties between the two nations will continue long into the future.
This follows the defeat in the November national election of the two Marshall Islands cabinet ministers responsible for the Marshall’s switch to diplomatic ties with Taiwan a year ago.
Finance minister Tony deßrum and foreign minister Phillip Muller were the architects of the Marshall Islands switch from the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of China (Taiwan) in November 1998.
It was a move that led to the flow of millions of dollars from Taiwan for development projects in the Marshalls.
Taiwan aid listed in the proposed fiscal year 2000 budget amounted to about 14 per cent of the total budget.
ROC Ambassador Leo Fu-tien Liu said that the relationship “between our two countries is country-to-county, not
party-to-party.”
“For the interests of both countries, we hope the relationship will last forever.”
With diplomatic switching of Taiwanese recognition the order of the day in some Pacific nations, there is speculation in the Marshalls about the future of ties with the ROC in the wake of the election results.
Tonga dropped Taiwan in favor of the People’s Republic in 1998, while Papua New Guinea briefly recognised Taiwan before re-establishing ties with PRC a few weeks later.
Although some members of the opposition criticised ties with Taiwan when they were established in late 1998, opposition to relations with the ROC appears to be a position held by a few.
Majuro Senator Wilfred Kendall, who could be the Marshalls next President, has said he believes diplomatic ties with Taiwan “are in the
national interest.”
For his part, Liu says “we respect the sovereignty of the Marshall Islands.” He reiterated that his government was sincere in its relations with the Marshalls.
“We honor our commitments to the Marshall Islands.
“We’ve enjoyed
cooperation with the government and people of the Marshall Islands during the last year,” he added.
“We hope it continues.” ■
Taiwan Ambassador, Leo Fu-tien Liu, hopes for continued relations with the Marshall Islands despite the electoral loss of Tony deBrum (below) who was responsible for the country switching alliance to Taiwan