中華民國外交部

President Chen Shui-bian's Letters to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN Security Council President Wang Guangya on July 31 (Office of the President)

H.E. Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General
United Nations

Your Excellency,

It is regrettable that on July 23, 2007, the UN Secretariat, citing Resolution 2758 as its basis, denied Taiwan's application for United Nations membership, which I submitted on behalf of the 23 million people of Taiwan.

I must point out that Resolution 2758 neither grants China the right to represent Taiwan's 23 million people at the United Nations, nor states that Taiwan is either a part of China or the People's Republic of China.

My country, Taiwan, is an independent sovereign nation and our people have the right, as stipulated in the UN Charter, to participate in the United Nations.

Furthermore, according to the rules of the United Nations, only the Security Council and the General Assembly have the authority to review and decide on UN membership applications. The UN Secretariat does not have the power to decide on such matters.

The people of Taiwan wish to join the United Nations. Taiwan is willing and able to fulfill membership obligations and to make greater contributions to world peace, justice and prosperity. As president of Taiwan, I must remind you that such aspirations and noble pursuit deserve due respect, and our membership application should be duly processed in accordance with relevant rules of procedure of the United Nations. I hope you will reconsider your decision and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Chen Shui-bian
President
Taiwan

H.E. Wang Guangya
President of the Security Council
United Nations

Your Excellency,

It is regrettable that Taiwan's application for UN membership, which I submitted on behalf of Taiwan's 23 million people and in my capacity as President, was rejected by the UN Secretariat on July 23, 2007.

In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, the Security Council and the General Assembly are the sole bodies with the authority to review and determine the outcome of applications for UN membership. As such, the UN Secretariat does not have the discretion to reject outright the application made by Taiwan. In so doing, it is depriving the membership of its right to decide on the admission of new members.

The Purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to achieve international cooperation. Taiwan subscribes to this purpose and is willing and able to fulfill the obligations expected of UN members.

The will of the people of Taiwan to join the United Nations and to make greater contributions to peace, justice and prosperity in the world deserves every respect. I hereby direct my request to Your Excellency in your capacity as President of the Security Council that Taiwan's application for UN membership be duly processed in accordance with relevant rules of procedure of the United Nations.

Sincerely yours,

Chen Shui-bian
President
Taiwan