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Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:48 |
By JIM GENARO
After discussing the political and economic history of the Peopleës Republic of China at UNC Ashevilleës Highsmith University Union on Oct. 10, diplomat G. Eugene Martin fielded questions on the countryës current condition.
"If they are an authoritarian government, why canët they control some of the things youëre talking about, such as corruption?" a man asked.
The missing elements, Martin replied, are a free press and the rule of law. "They are essential to a functioning, representational government," he explained.
Chinese government officials "make rules to rule by law, rather than rule of law, which is very different," he added.
Another
man observed that it was Taiwanës Day of Independence. He said that the
Clinton administration had been ambiguous in its support for Taiwan ǃÓ
which China considers to be part of its territory, while the Bush
administration has been clear that it would support the province in a
confrontation with the mainland. The man then asked Martin to comment
on the ongoing tensions there.
"Ambiguity has
been very useful in the past," Martin answered. "If youëre ambiguous,
you donët actually tell the other side what you would do if there was a
change in the situation."
He noted that
while President Bush has been clear that the U.S. would defend Taiwan,
he has also refused to give the territory "any latitude to take action
which is going to prompt China to attack."
Furthermore,
Martin said, the U.S. is extremely reluctant to get embroiled in the
conflict. It has been U.S. policy since the Nixon administration that,
"weëre gonna stay out of the middle of this ÇƒÓ this is a family fight,"
he added.
One man
complained of China, "They go out of their way to stick it to us." He
asked whether Martin believed the country needs to accommodate the U.S.
more.
"They have their
own interests," Martin replied. "China is working with us on North
Korea, but they have different interests, different perspectives."
He added that the world needs China to "step up to the plate and take a leadership role" in Asia.
"Can they keep it together or will there be splinter groups and rebellions against the central government?" a man asked.
"The potential
is there," Martin acknowledged, but added that China has been a united
country since 200 A.D. "The gravitational force is far stronger than
the centrifugal force."
He said that the
situation in Tibet poses the biggest threat to Chinese unity. Regarding
the Dalai Lama, Tibetës spiritual leader, Martin said, "I think he is
the person who could keep Tibet within the framework of China."
Chinese policy
in the region is to wait for the Dalai Lama to die, hoping that without
a central leader, the Tibetan resistance will wane. But Martin
disagreed with this assessment, saying, "When the moderates are
unsuccessful, thereës lots of other guys whoëll step in, throwing
bombs."
The next questioner asked, "What can we offer to North Korea" to halt its nuclear program?
The U.S. should negotiate directly with Kim Jong-Il, Martin answered. "Itës always better to talk to someone than not to talk."
Of the eccentric dictator, Martin added, "Heës not crazy by any means. Heës smart as a fox."
China is in an
awkward position with North Korea, he added. "China is not comfortable
with what Kim Jong-il is doing," he noted. But, "given a choice of
stability versus implosion with millions of refugees, theyëll choose
stability."
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