SLP Questions Taiwan's Policies
The opposition St. Lucia Labour Party is calling attention to the recent resignations of Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Defense Minister.
The three quit last week over their alleged roles in the disappearance of US$30 million of state funds.
The money had been approved by the Taiwanese government for a failed attempt to secure diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea.
According to an SLP press release today May 8th, this confirms what the party has been saying for some time concerning the Taiwanese government and the behaviour of its officials.
The SLP says it has been particularly concerned about the use of funds by Taiwanese officials to achieve the switch in diplomatic relations from mainland China to Taipei.
The opposition is calling on Prime Minister Stephenson King to immediately launch and independent inquiry into the events surrounding St. Lucia's switch from China to Taiwan.
The SLP wants that investigation to include the role played by Taiwan's current ambassador here, Mr. Tom Chou and the activities of some St. Lucian government officials
The Taiwanese Ambassador to Saint Lucia has been reacting to the SLP's statement.
Ambassador Tom Chou says it is unfortunate that the opposition is dallying with rumors.
Mr. Chou has given the Taiwanese take on the Papua New Guinea matter, saying that Taiwan has no diplomatic relations with that country.
Regarding the diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia, the ambassador notes that the two countries have had a long history.
He says since 1984 Saint Lucia and Taiwan have been allies, until the SLP regime discontinued the relationship in 1997.
In his opinion, this shows that the SLP favors communist rule.
He stressed that the SLP needs to stop trying to taint Taiwan's, and by extension, Saint Lucia's reputation with baseless contentions.