THE ISSUE:
Taiwan, the first ethnic-Chinese popular democracy, is in the process of self-destruction. Some 90 percent of Taiwan's population of 30 million favor maintaining a peaceful "status quo" i.e., de facto separation from the one-party tyranny in the People's Republic of China. However, Taiwan's opposition Koumintang [KMT] political and industrial leaders and their allies are manipulating the tools of democracy to destroy Taiwan's defense capabilities and undermine the island-state's hard-won freedom.

The so-called KMT "pan Blue" politicians have paralyzed Taiwan's government while conducting frequent visits to Beijing to negotiate with high level government leaders on Communist terms. Recent agreements in Beijing proposed jointly by the "pan blue" leadership and the highest level of the Chinese Communist government seek to create an irreversible unification between Taiwan and China politically and economically during coming months. The KMT and their political allies have also introduced legislation that would destroy democracy and rule of law in Taiwan. These proposed laws would separate the legislative and executive branches into separate and disconnected rival governing bodies. The proposal will create political chaos and sets the stage for Taiwan to be delivered into undemocratic China's hands.

Contempt for Popular Will:
Most residents identify themselves as Taiwanese, who overcame a brutal authoritarian regime imposed by the Kuomintang Party of Chiang Kai-shek when the deposed KMT government and army fled mainland China after their 1949 defeat by the Communists. The China unification movement by mainstream KMT political, business and financial leaders began in 2000, following their loss in the historical democratic election, the first in any territory dominated by ethnic Chinese. KMT leaders bitterly turned over the Presidency and control of government to the native-Taiwanese Democratic People's Party [DPP] under current -President Chen Shui-bian. Out of spite, they immediately began transferring much of Taiwan's vital strategic industries to the Mainland. Today, the KMT's "pan blue" Parliamentary alliance with former KMT financier James Soong's radical pro- Beijing People's First Party seeks to deliver the people of Taiwan and their freedom into Beijing's hands without a shot being fired.


Western Response:
Unfortunately, during the past decade, the West and Asian industrialized nations, including Taiwan, have assisted Beijing to become the region's dominant economic and military powerhouse. The "absorption" or conquest of Taiwan would solidify Beijing's role as military and political leader of an increasing undemocratic and unstable region. This would destroy any hope for liberty and civil society, while enhancing the prospect of widespread military conflict. Incredibly, the United States, although bound by law to defend Taiwan under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, and London, under the ill-fated Hong Kong Basic Law, have appeased Beijing politically. Both governments, lusting for elusive profits and China's cheap labor, have stood by while democratic rights are strangled in Hong Kong and selfish Taiwanese politicians embark on their society's political destruction.

Washington's weak and short sighted response has been to pressure Taiwan to purchase a handful of "defensive" weapons that would have almost no impact on Cross Strait security, while enriching politically-connected US arms dealers and their lobbyists. Desperate effprts by President Chen and DPP parliamentarians to abide by this short- sighted US policy have been paralyzed in Taiwan's Congress by the "pan blue" coalition," which now holds a slight majority.


Solution:
The TRUE KEY to defending both Hong Kong and especially Taiwan is political cohesion in defense of democracy and freedom. Such courage and unity could help spark resistance to tyranny inside of the People's Republic. This could lead to a political transformation inside China which could deter war. However, the cynical self-serving "pan blue" elected politicians and unelected financiers are volunteering the deliverance of millions of free people into tyranny. In doing so, they are discrediting the potential values of democracy in China. More significantly, they are creating a strong potential for political violence by Beijing against Taiwan and a highly destructive regional war.