While the subject matter of the moment is very serious, this description at the BBC of a decision by Taiwan is like something out of the parrot sketch from Monte Python:
The US State Department said on Monday that it would take Mr Chen at his word that his latest move meant no change to the situation. "It's our understanding that President Chen did not abolish it, and he reaffirmed Taiwan's commitment to the status quo," spokesman Adam Ereli told Reuters. Mr Chen took care to use the phrase "cease to exist" rather than abolish when he made the announcement, possibly because he promised in 2000 that he would not abolish the council or its guidelines. China dismissed the diffference as a "play of words".When I cease to exist, I expect my situation will change.
Comments
ry - February 28, 2006 10:38 pm
I dunno what to think about this. Taiwan's been a defacto autonomous nation for 50 years. The only reason they need to go thru this is the PRC threat to attack if they declare formal independence.
'It's not dead,' while refering to the parrot---I definitely see that here, but in many ways. Not just in the bureacratization of the language to make it seem like a non-declaration of independence by Taiwan. The whole situation seems like some strange kabuki play(and the ambiguity of the US's Taiwan Relations Act don't help neither).