South Bend, December 3, 1978
Desperate Odysseys
In recent months, it happened several times that refugees from Vietnam fled on hardly seaworthy ships, seeking asylum in the Philippines and Malaysia. But they were turned away from harbor to harbor until the boat capsized and hundreds of people drowned. How desperate must these people have been that they exposed themselves to such a danger and risked their lives for it?
December 15, 1978
Diplomatic Relations with China
President Carter announced today that the United States, beginning January 1, 1979, will enter into diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. America adheres to the One-China policy and regards the People’s Republic as the only representation of the Chinese people. The Embassy in Taipei will be closed and the defense treaty with Taiwan terminated. This step does not come as a surprise, for it had been prepared by the Shanghai Communiqué of 1972. But what will become of Taiwan? Will it be peacefully integrated into Mainland China, or will there be military confrontation? What will be the future attitude of the United States toward Taiwan?
December 17, 1978
An Uproar of Indignation
President Carter’s announcement caused an uproar of indignation on the conservative side of Congress. What will happen with the 17 million Chinese on Taiwan? Which guarantees are there that the island will not be taken by military force? Senator Goldwater from Arizona has even gone so far as to declare that he may test in court the President’s decision of terminating the defense treaty with Taiwan without previous consultation of the Senate. In a burst of outrage, there were anti-American demonstrations in Taiwan, which threatened to storm the U.S. Embassy in Taipei, even before it was shut down.
December 26, 1978
Different Points of View on the China Question
1. The pragmatic point of view of President Carter: A billion people constitute such a large economic, military, and diplomatic power that only full diplomatic relations will do.
2. The opposition in the Senate: On December 22, Senator Barry Goldwater filed suit against President Carter in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The Court should decide whether or not the President has the constitutional authority to renounce the defense treaty with Taiwan without consulting the Senate. Goldwater also questions the proposition that Taiwan is only a province of the People’s Republic and has no right to exist on its own. How can it be reconciled with human rights if 17 million people are turned over to Communism?
3. The economic potential: It is also a matter of market shares and spheres of influence.