Taipei Times, July 5, 2007

Recently the US State Department spoke out in opposition to the proposed referendum on Taiwan's application to join the UN under the name "Taiwan."

This raises a few questions. Is Taiwan a democratic country? Yes. Has Taiwan been a staunch ally to the US? Yes. Is Taiwan an ally in the US-led war on terrorism? Yes. Does Taiwan belong to any other country? No.

As a signatory of the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, the US should recognize that since Japan renounced its ownership of Taiwan, the future of the country should be determined by the people who reside there.

The US has invested considerable resources and made tremendous sacrifices in an attempt to plant the seed of democracy in Iraq. How can it then oppose Taiwan's attempt to join the UN under a name of its choosing?

Isn't a referendum an integral part of the system that the US and other democratic countries hold dear?

Many members of the UN are far inferior to Taiwan in terms of wealth, freedom, technology and willingness to help other less fortunate countries. As a member of the UN, Taiwan could contribute greatly to world peace and prosperity.

US opposition to Taiwan's entry into the world body is anti-democratic and another rejection for Taiwan would be a loss to the UN. It is time the US acted to nurture Taiwan's fragile democracy by supporting the country's UN bid.

Gaines Ho

McLean, Virgina