舊港說書人

〜和平，不應犧牲民主自由〜 

本土社團聯合聲明稿

 在美國總統歐巴馬即將前往中國訪問前夕，台灣社等本土社團在此發表一份聯合聲明。
面對世界上最大的獨裁強權，台灣人民追求自由的過程，比起美國建國之初，更為艱辛，但台灣人民捍衛民主的決心，卻從不曾動搖！因此，身為美國有史以來第一位出身少數族裔的總統，我們期盼歐巴馬總統能夠對台灣這樣一個在國際間極為弱勢的國家，多一份同情與支持，並尊重台灣人民對未來的自決權。
和平的價值，是在建立人類永續的發展，而不是用對獨裁者的妥協，來維持表面的和平，更不能以犧牲少數人的自由與人權，來換取假象的和平！因此我們認為，身為2009年諾貝爾和平獎的得獎者，歐巴馬總統應該確實彰顯諾貝爾和平獎的精神，正視中國對民主人權與宗教自由的威脅，絕不為了政治或經濟的利益，而向全世界最大的威權國家低頭，甚至犧牲反抗威權者的利益。
台灣海峽兩岸的現狀，並非國際社會所認知的穩定，相反的，隨著中國瞄準台灣的飛彈數目與日俱增，兩岸間的軍事實力，已經逐步走向失衡的狀態！因此，身為台美中關係中最關鍵的行動者，我們呼籲歐巴馬總統不能再忽視正在改變中的所謂「現狀」，美國應繼續提供武器給台灣，讓台灣擁有自我防衛的能力，也讓民主台灣成為美國更加堅定的盟友。
歐巴馬總統上任後首次的中國行，全世界都在看！台灣人民也將密切觀察歐巴馬總統在中國的一言一行。我們願意相信歐巴馬總統與中國領導人會面之際，不會出現任何傷害台灣利益的言辭或行為，我們也要大聲告訴歐巴馬總統：請讓您的諾貝爾和平獎，實至名歸！
連署社團：台灣社、台灣智庫、台灣教授協會、台灣基督教長老教會、台灣北社、台灣南社、台灣中社、台灣東社、台灣客社、台灣青社

Joint Statement

Peace, not at the Expense of Freedom and Democracy.

(2009/11/13)

On the eve of US President Obama’s trip to China, we, representatives of local Taiwanese groups, are urging Mr. Obama to caution his words and deeds that could hurt Taiwan’s democracy and freedom when he is meeting with Chinese leaders. At the same time, we are urging the Obama administration to honor Washington’s long-standing policy of supporting Taiwanese people’s fight against PRC’s threat and coercion and their right to decide on this island democracy’s own future.  

President Obama has pledged, as his campaign slogan “Change” has indicated, to change the global political climate and international relations, and people of different races, colors, and nationalities all hold high expectations of him. Taiwanese people are no exceptions. Thus, we expect President Obama, the first US president with ethnic minority background, to empathize and support the stance of small and disadvantaged countries. We therefore are very hopeful that President Obama will have more sympathy and support for Taiwan, a small democracy sitting next to the gigantic authoritarian China and being excluded from almost all of the international organizations.

Last month, President Obama was announced as the winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” As President Obama said, he viewed the decision less as recognition of his own accomplishments and more as "a call to action." While expressing our sincerest congratulations, we hope that President Obama would keep in mind the core spirit of Nobel Peace Prize during his coming visit to China.

Facing the largest and strongest authoritarian country in the world, we believe that President Obama, who has indicated in his inauguration speech that “America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,” should use this opportunity to put not only the spirit of the Nobel Peace Prize but also his own words into action. We believe that the true winner should uphold the common value of democracy, freedom and human rights no matter where he goes, and refuse to compromise with dictatorship in exchange for corporate benefits. “Peace,” we believe, is a universal right, so it is wrong to sacrifice minority’s freedom and rights in exchange for majority’s security.  

We would also like to remind President Obama that Taiwan’s future should be decided by the Taiwanese people. Self-determination is the inherent rights of Taiwanese people, and should be respected by countries all over the world. The Taiwan Strait is not as “stable” as the Obama Administration claims to be: underneath the seemingly close relationship lies the threats that China is posing on Taiwan’s democracy and human rights, not to mention the growing number of Chinese missiles aiming at the island. The so-called “Status Quo” has been changing, and the military imbalance between the two sides has become greater. Therefore, we urge the United States to continue to sell arms to Taiwan. Taiwan should not go to the negotiation table under China’s military threat.

We will closely watch President Obama’s visit in China. We will also condemn any policies or statements that would hurt Taiwanese people’s interests. We sincerely hope President Obama, the winner of 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, would put human rights and democracy over politics and money!

President Obama, please make yourself a deserving laureate!

Issued by:

Taiwan Society, Taiwan Thinktank, Taiwan Association of University Professors, The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, Taiwan Society North, Taiwan South Society, Taiwan Central Society, Taiwan Society East, Taiwan Society Hakka , Taiwan Society Young Power etc.