|
Click
here for New York Times advertisement.
For Immediate
Release
February 22, 2008
CONTACT:
Iris Ho, Formosan Association for Public
Affairs;
Ron Shieh, President, Taiwanese
Association of America; Darice Lee,
President,
North America
Taiwanese Women's Association
68
TAIWANESE AMERICAN GROUPS CALL FOR US
SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN REFERENDUM IN NEW
YORK TIMES AD
To
further
amplify their
campaign to seek U.S. support for
Taiwan’s UN referendum, 68 Taiwanese
American groups placed a half page
advertisement in the New York Times on
Friday February 22, following the
groups’ similar ad
in the Washington Post ten days ago.
The advertisements in the New York Times
and the Washington Post urge the U.S.
government to support Taiwan’s
membership in the United Nations and the
upcoming referendum on Taiwan’s UN
membership.
The advertisement – coinciding
with the week of
President’s Day
– states “don’t
let
Taiwan's democratic government, "of the
people, by the people and for the
people,”
perish from the Earth”,
echoing
Lincoln’s
famous Gettysburg address.
The advertisements are part of FAPA’s
efforts to generate support for and
public awareness of Taiwan’s democratic
achievements and its quest for
international participation. More
actions by FAPA advocating Taiwan’s
rightful UN membership and supporting
the referendum before the March
elections are planned.
Deeply disturbed by the fact that over
the last few months of 2007 several high
officials of the Bush Administration
made statements in which they express
opposition to Taiwan's planned
referendum, calling it
“provocative”
and
“a
mistake,”
the organizations felt that time for
action is now.
FAPA President Bob Yang, Ph.D. states:
“The annual celebration of President's
Day provides the best opportunity for us
to stand still and remind ourselves of
the basic political values and
principles that America stands for - of
the values that Presidents Washington
and Lincoln upheld.”
"Taiwan is a thriving democracy that
promotes freedom and the rule of law.
The upcoming referendum will allow
Taiwan's people to freely express their
views - this is a fundamental human
right guaranteed by international law.”
“The reason for these advertisements is
not only to urge the US to support
Taiwan's upcoming referendum. But, if
they are unable to support it, we ask
that they at least remain quiet and let
Taiwan's democratic process run its
course.” |
