Dear Editor,
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US Congress and second in line to the US Presidency, has managed to set off a grave and dangerous international crisis by her visit to Taiwan. This is, to put it plainly, a deliberate provocation to China. Nancy Pelosi was warned by the US military that she should not make the trip. Many important people in the Executive, including the President, suggested that it was not the right thing to do. However, by disregarding the sound advice of her own military and others in the Executive, the Speaker has added another crisis in our already troubled world. It has made our world a more dangerous place.
Let me say from the outset that Taiwan is a part of China, it has always been so. Even the US recognized this and in 1979, when it ceased having diplomatic relations with Taiwan and opened diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Since then the US and China have had very good relations. Those relations benefitted both countries and the world at large. This favourable condition began to change when China’s economic growth became very rapid and it is now the second largest economy in the world. Unfortunately, a section of the United States ruling class saw this development in China as a threat to the US domination of the world. Nancy Pelosi is part of that group. That group sees its main function to slow down and halt China’s advances in economic and other aspects of life.
China has clearly interpreted Ms. Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan as part of a plan to recognize Taiwan as an independent country. In the same way NATO pushed itself on the borders of Russia, China believes that Taiwan is being prepared to be used against it. It feels strongly that this is an affront to its sovereignty and its security. Nancy Pelosi has managed to force the US executive to come out and support her visit, which has worsened the situation. A huge military exercise is being held by China around the island. Moreover, China has drastically reduced its military contacts and otherwise with the United States. This is a dangerous situation for our world.
These countries are all nuclear powers and this deteriorating situation is dangerous for all of us. It is time that the masses in all countries make their voices heard. We cannot leave our future in the hands of a few leaders in a few countries who seem incapable of wanting peace and security. We must demand the end of provocative actions as Ms. Pelosi had taken and demand that talks to destroy all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons begin now. We must demand respect for all countries’ sovereignty, security and cooperation instead of confrontation.
Sincerely,
Donald Ramotar,
Former President of Guyana
