In recent years, I have had the pleasure of reading many tomes on and about Taiwan (Formosa). The books by Jerome Keating, PhD, Bruce Herschensohn, "A New Constitution for Taiwan" (Edited by Taiwan Advocates), "Let Taiwan Be Taiwan", (Edited by Marc J. Cohen and Emma Teng) all have individual perspectives that cannot help but lead a thinking person to the conclusion that Taiwan is a nation.

Historian, Harry Hsiao quoted (Let Taiwan Be Taiwan), "before the mid-1940s both the Nationalist and the Communists supported self-determination for Taiwanese." In addition, before the Allies issued the Cairo Declaration, the Chinese indicated a Òconsistent convictionÓ that Taiwan was not a part of China.

In the last Friends of Taiwan Newsletter, this writer pointed out that at the San Francisco Peace Treaty, September 8, 1951, Japan renounced all right, title and claims to Formosa and the Pescadores. In other words, Japan completely surrendered Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores to the United States (to the victor belongs the spoils). After Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, General Douglas Mac Arthur ordered all Japanese Commanders on Formosa to surrender to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. His role was to be the care-taker of Formosa for the United States and that would provide him a strategic launching pad to retake China. In thought and apparently legally, Taiwan belongs to the United States. Some feel that the debate is over. I agree.

Bruce Herschensohn, in his book "Taiwan: The Threatened Democracy", clearly delineates the various forces at work in Taiwan and abroad that jeopardizes the very notion of Taiwan being an independent nation. In the book, chapter sixteen, "Politics, Power, Profit And Least of All, Principle," clearly set forth the political tug-of-war going on in Taiwan. In addition, the United States State Department appears to give support to this fledgling democracy, but very little action----the kind of support that will help a struggling democracy survive.

Historically, the struggle between the nations of the world was the balance of trade. That struggle continues to this day. It is thought that if China takes over Taiwan, it (China) would control the Asian trade routes, thereby impacting commerce for Japan, Taiwan and other Asian nations as well as Western nations and European countries. Remember, when Secretary of State Powell was new as Secretary, he stated publicly that Taiwan was a strategic partner of the United States.

Politics, Power, Profit, notwithstanding, Taiwan must have a constitution voted upon by the Taiwanese people. This writer has only partially read the volume "A New Constitution for Taiwan", edited by Taiwan Advocates. A portion of this volume is written in English, French, and Japanese, each giving their respective views on the constitution. Chapter three, division 4 of this volume is "The Blueprint of the Bill Rights in TaiwanÕs New Constitution." A Bill of Rights in a constitution is the most critical element in any human-rights system. Thomas Jefferson, one of the framers of the US Constitution, on December 20, 1787, sent a letter to James Madison setting forth what he did not like about the US Constitution. "First, the omission of a bill of rights, stating clearly, without sophism, for freedom of religion, freedom of the press, protection against standby armies, restriction of monopoliesÉÉ" Secondly, "the abandonment of the principle of rotation in office. The first magistrate will always be re-elected if he may be re-elected."

In conclusion, the Taiwan situation is most complex and solutions must be delicately arrived at. In Taiwan there does not seem to be a unity of effort by either of the major parties, Also, that same attitude of mixed ideas and goals for Taiwan exists within the Taiwanese community of Southern California. Various leaders appear to have a burning passion to be the spoke-person for the Taiwanese community. If these leaders were believers in utilitarian democracy----the greatest good for the greatest number, I think they would accomplish more. In the United States, the Taiwanese community cannot be an island unto themselves. They must, it is imperative, that they reach out to the wider communities in order to put Taiwan on their respective radar screens. There are many second generation Chinese in the United States think that Chiang Kai-shek is a saint. They apparently have not done the research.

• About Organization
  Friends of Taiwan was founded in Los Angeles in the winter of 1997. Modeled after the organization and work of Friends of Tibet, Friends of Taiwan strives to foster mutual understanding between the rank-and-file American Public and the people of Taiwan, and to secure moral and ethic support of the American people for free and democratic Taiwan. Friends of Taiwan is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization; your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Friends of Taiwan does not have membership at large. It is operated under the direction of the Board of Directors which currently consists of 15 members. The officers including president, vice president, treasurer and secretary are elected from the board members.
  

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• Friends of Taiwan's Mission
  The mission of Friends of Taiwan is (1) to engage in charitable, educational, community, and social activities that promote understanding and appreciation of Taiwan culture and Taiwanese American heritage, (2) to encourage interaction among Taiwanese Americans and other with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and (3) to create a public awareness of Taiwan, Taiwanese-Americans, and Taiwanese culture and heritage.
  

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• Activity Engagements
  Friends of Taiwan has actively involved with various kinds of public and community activities, which include: (1) sponsoring activities in celebration of the Taiwanese American Heritage Week in the greater Los Angeles area; (2) conducting public speech on the subjects concerning Taiwan; (3) joining local communities in the parades including the Christmas Parade and the Cinco De Mayo Parade; and participating in the public services and community affairs; (4) publishing quarterly newsletter to update organization activities and headline news concerning Taiwan and to promote public understanding and appreciation of Taiwan culture and Taiwanese American heritage; and (5) promoting public understanding and awareness of TaiwanÕs up-to-date political and economic progresses.
  

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• Planning for the Future
  Goals for Long Range Plan
  1. To coordinate and facilitate the establishment
  of Friends of Taiwan organization into a global Network.
  2. To facilitate the development of a strategic plan for promoting the organizational mission.
  A Tentative Setup of Regions:
  North America Region
  Central & South America Region
  North Asia Region
  South Asia Region
  Australia & New Zealand Region
  Europe Region
  Africa Region
  

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