For Immediate Release
Washington DC – February 22, 2008
Contact: (202) 547-3686
68 Taiwanese American Groups Call For U.S. 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.”
六十八個台美人團體再度聯登廣告，於紐約時報呼籲美國政府支持台灣入聯公投
繼十天前於華盛頓郵報聯合刊登廣告，近七十個台美人社團為了進一步擴大入聯宣傳，特於美國「總統日」這一週，在今日(22日)於美國政經人士必讀的紐約時報，再度透過大篇幅的半版廣告，呼籲美國政府支持台灣加入聯合國以及台灣三月即將舉行的入聯公投。
因為適逢美國總統日這一週，紐約時報的廣告一開頭便引用林肯總統著名的「蓋茲堡演說」－「要使我們這個國家在上帝的保佑下得到自由的永生，使這個民有、民治、民享的政府不要在世上殞落。」廣告接著呼籲讀者不要讓民有、民治、民享的台灣民主政府在世上殞落。
華盛頓郵報與紐約約時報這兩個廣告是FAPA為了加強美國各界對台灣民主成就與國際參與的認識與瞭解所做的一系列的努力之一。FAPA並計劃在三月大選前推出其他支持台灣入聯的相關活動。
過去幾個月以來，美國行政部門官員一再公開反對台灣的入聯公投，批評入聯公投是一挑釁、錯誤的舉動，廣泛引起台美社團的不滿，因而決定直接訴諸美國讀者，以刊登廣告的方式表達眾多台美團體支持民主公投的強烈意願。
FAPA會長楊英育表示：「美國總統紀念日提供一個絕佳的機會，提醒我們美國所代表的基本政治理念與原則－這些是華盛頓與林肯總統當年所謹守的原則。」楊英育繼續表示：「台灣是一個提倡自由、法治，民主蓬勃發展的國家。下個月即將舉行的公民投票將讓台灣人民有機會自由表達他們的觀點，這也是國際法保證下的基本人權。」
楊英育最後表示：「如同支持入聯的華郵廣告，我們希望美國能支持入聯公投。但無論是什麼原因導致美國無法支持入聯公投時，我們要求美國至少能選擇不再公開出聲反對，尊重並讓台灣的民主程序順其自然發展。」