In a 20-minute speech at the Prospect Foundation in Taipei on March 4, former US Secretary
of State Mike Pompeo said he was "Honoured to speak about the importance of America
recognizing Taiwan as a free and sovereign country". He said "It is my view that the United
States Government should immediately take necessary and long overdue steps to do the right
and obvious thing. That is to offer the Republic of China (Taiwan) America's diplomatic
recognition as a free and sovereign country. This isn't Taiwan's future independence we're
going to say. It's about recognition of an unmistakable, already existing reality... The
Taiwanese people deserve the world's respect for continuing down this free, democratic and
sovereign path." Pompeo was on a four-day visit to Taiwan from March 2-5. Without naming
China, Pompeo said "Taking over Taiwan will change the global balance of power in the most
fundamental ways. If we don't confront authoritarians who have no regard for freedom and
independence, then they will draw us into conflict, and that conflict is one that will be far
greater than it would have been, were we to act sooner". Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
declined to comment on Pompeo's remarks, but later retweeted Pompeo's remarks on its
Twitter page, and wrote "We genuinely appreciate the passionate support of our friends & likeminded partners from the US & around the world. Taiwan is buoyed by this backing & will
continue standing strong in the face of all challenges while shining as a beacon of freedom,
democracy & human rights." Separately, a 'leak' from Pompeo's Taiwan visit shows that the
Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) on March 3 signed a contract
agreeing to pay Pompeo US$ 150,000 for his visit. The contract undertook also to pay him for
a roundtrip First Class air ticket and 3 Business Class roundtrip refundable air fares and four
hotel rooms at the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Another 'leak' showed he had a major investment agenda
on behalf of a company called Anarock.
|
