Could anyone out there direct me to a newspaper story, editorial or blog post that enumerates the tangible benefits Taiwan would receive from U.N. membership? I’d really like to get a firmer grasp on the subject.
UPDATE (Oct 27/07): Maddog has provided a list of benefits (in Mandarin).
UPDATE #2: Another list from the Taiwan News:
[U.N. membership for Taiwan would also allow it to join the following organizations:]
The International Monetary Fund for monetary cooperation and financial assistance that can enhance our financial security, such as South Korean benefited from US$21 billion in emergency IMF financing to help it recover from the Asian currency crisis of 1997.
The World Bank, which promotes international financial cooperation with developing countries through which Taiwan could enhance its global profile and gain access to infrastructure and other business opportunities.
The International Marine Organization, whose membership would help us protect and develop our own marine resources and the rights of our fishing industry, improve port security and give us a voice in the formation of global marine security rules.
The International Commercial Aircraft Organization, a key body for global air control.
The Food and Agricultural Organization, whose membership would help ensure protection for our agricultural product species and provide channels for the sharing and licensing of our agricultural technology.
The International Telecommunications Union, whose membership is key to ensure access to satellite and radio technology and channels and standards and the latest telecom related research.
The International Electrotechnical Commission which prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
The International Standards Organization, whose membership would ensure Taiwan’s participation in the formation of global standards and help promote high-tech R&D and product development.
The World Intellectual Property Organization, which would be a channel for Taiwan to help shape IPR rules and thus provide better protection for our intellectual property.
It’s sad commentary on our world when legitimacy isn’t bestowed upon a nation or it’s government by a mandate from its people, but rather by the acknowledgement of its fellow nations, abstract though that concept may be and democratically illegitimate though those nations may be.
I’m afraid that’s most of the answer here: legitimacy.
I suppose there might be some “arbitration” benefits, too.
*
*
I know that there are benefits to belonging to U.N. health organizations, though I would like to see those benefits spelled out somewhere.
To my mind, one of the biggest benefits is the prohibition of U.N. states from attacking other U.N. states. (Which was one of the strongest arguments in Gulf War I’s favor.)
Not that this would necessarily deter China, but it would confer greater legitimacy upon those who wished to help Taiwan in its hour of need.
As things stand now, a great many of the far left (and possibly the libertarian right as well) are all too willing to characterize the situation as an “internal Chinese matter” as an excuse for not wanting to get involved.
I wonder if the UN has a glossy brochure or flyer for prospective countries?
I posted a large image (557 KB, 1826 x 2796 pixels) of the full-page ad that was in Wednesday’s Liberty Times giving the Top 12 Reasons Taiwan Needs UN Membership. It’s in Mandarin, but you can see it here:
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/9286/whyunfortaiwanda9.jpg
*
*
Thanks for that, Tim. Maybe I can ask a friend to translate it sometime. One thing I do notice is that it mentions what difference it would have made if Taiwan had belonged to the World Health Organization during the SARS outbreak.
I think you’re looking at #5, which says:
– – –
Without UN membership, there’s no guarantee that we can prevent epidemics.
– – –
No time to translate the whole thing just now.
*
*
Thanks again. BTW, I see that the Taiwan News had a list of their own in their editorial today. Have to mention them in an update.