MORAKOT: THE AFTERMATH : Ma denies Beijing affected decisions

POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Former vice president Annette Lu questioned whether Ma delayed appealing for foreign aid because of interference from Beijing
By Ko Shu-ling
STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009, Page 3
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday denied Beijing had played a role in his decision to delay accepting international aid following Typhoon Morakot.

Ma said his administration considered international assistance humanitarian in nature, not political, adding that the country had received cash and non-cash ­donations from the US, Japan, Singapore, China, Australia, Germany and other countries.

“We don’t have any political sort of attitude toward these donations,” he said in English at a press conference for foreign correspondents at the Presidential Office. “They are purely humanitarian.”

When asked whether China played a role in his decision-­making process, Ma said “No, not at all, not at all.”

Earlier yesterday, former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) questioned whether China interfered in the government’s delay in appealing for foreign aid, asking Ma to offer a clear account of whether he had waited until Beijing agreed to donate money before he asked for international assistance.

Lu said she would like to know whether political considerations played a role and outweighed the lives of Taiwanese people and Taiwan’s sovereignty.

“If the first priority of the country’s president is to gauge the attitude of other countries, it is bitterly disappointing,” she said.

Lu said Ma owed the public an explanation on whether he accepted China’s assistance under the condition that he reject international aid and not declare a state of emergency.

Lu also raised the question of whether Washington and Beijing capitalized on the disaster to ­engage in a power struggle, saying that Washington conveyed via the media that the US military was ready to help as a means to pressure the Ma administration.

Lu proposed postponing year-end local elections until new administrative zones are drawn. She suggested establishing a special administrative zone for the 30-odd Aboriginal villages. She also suggested the president appoint a head of the special region and the central government take charge of disaster prevention and relief work.

It's a shame that political motives are put above human life's.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what Ma did, putting his one-China policy above everything else. He ordered the government to reject all international help except money. He denied it at first, but then a whistle-blower leaked a document to the press. And he was caught lying.

Ma screwed up big time that's why his support fell back to 20-30% again.

political pressure from china may have play a role in his decision.

anyhow, with the recent drop of ma to an all-time low 16%, ma has a lot of explanation and reconciliation with the people he lied and betrayed.

wow, 16 percent. that is even lower than Chen in his last term.
Good luck with the next election Ma.

How is accepting aid from the mainland "political pressure"?

All the Taiwan newspapers and news media are reporting that the Taiwan public wants Ma to step down and resign from his position. Ma's slow reaction to the rescue efforts (or should I say lack of reaction) has damaged his reputation severly.

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday denied Beijing had played a role in his decision to delay accepting international aid following Typhoon Morakot.

Is this conclusion really accurate?

I am asking this because when countries reject international help, it seems a kind of national pride may be the reason.

How did you arrive the conclusion that it was due to One China policy?

I remember when Katrina happened and USA rejected international help for some time before the pressure from domestic public built up, and finally the government allowed it. And then during Asian Tsunami, India rejected all international help, with the leaders and ministers pointedly saying that India need to stand on its 2 feet and not rely on outside help all the time.

How did you get to this conclusion?