NEWSWEEK: How do you feel when Beijing calls you names? LU: What they accuse me of is similar to what the Kuomintang [Taiwan’s former ruling party] used to accuse me of 20 years ago, so I’m used to it. China spends so much time and effort [on me], it’s a compliment. However, I’m beginning to worry that Beijing’s leaders are running out of patience and rationality. What would happen if Beijing says that Mr. Chen’s inaugural statement [on May 20] is unsatisfactory to them? Would they launch something?
Are you going to bend or change your position? It is a conspiracy to undermine my relationship with the president-elect, to downgrade my status and to isolate President Chen. To accuse me is to accuse him.
What are your most important tasks now? Our first priority is to make every effort to enhance mutual cooperation with China. All problems with China were a result of historical conflict between the Chinese Communist Party and the KMT, a result of civil war. We on Taiwan are simply victimized by their enmities. There’s no hatred between us; ethnically we are relatives; geographically we are neighbors. We are friendly, we are sincere and we are determined to stop any confrontation.
Should Taiwan declare independence? My definition of independence is very moderate. Taiwan has been independent with or without recognition. Before 1996 it was de facto independence. But in 1996 people were allowed to elect their president, and it became de jure independence. Only an independent state can have elections. Only a sovereign state directly elects its president.
Is the United States too pro-Beijing? In the past, of course, most world leaders or politicians, or even journalists, have taken it for granted that whatever Chinese leaders say about Taiwan [was the truth]. We don’t want to offend them. But we have worked so hard. We have such wonderful achievements. We have never created trouble for the world. We overcame all our problems, peacefully, cheerfully, but we are treated as only troublemakers. We haven’t done anything wrong.
Do you want to go to the United States? I’ve been invited to give a talk to my alma mater–Harvard–and also [to speak] at UC, Berkeley. The U.S. government should consider whether it is fair not to allow any high-ranking Taiwan official to visit. The United States has been talking about peace talks between China and Taiwan for a long time; why not invite both leaders to meet in front of the White House for talks?
Should Taiwan try to join the United Nations? I have pushed for Taiwan’s entry into the United Nations. The United Nations, without members such as Taiwan, is imperfect. If China agrees and the United States supports it, there is no doubt we can enter. It took Korea 50 years, it took China 22 years, so we are patient. We want to contribute our experience with democratization, the development of high-tech industry. It’s time for us to share.
Can you talk about your trial? Chen Shui-bian was once your lawyer in a human-rights case. When I was 36, I was a major speaker at a [1979] rally in Kaohsiung. [The government said] my speech was the most “seditious.” Of the 15 lawyers who defended us, Chen was the youngest. I was courageous enough to overturn the evidence. I accused [the prosecution] of a coercive and illegal interrogation. My speech really struck the audience and changed the course of the trial. Six of us were to be executed, but my intervention reduced the sentence.
Have you invited the Dalai Lama to visit? The Dalai Lama has been here once before [in 1997]. We have a close relationship. He has strongly indicated his desire to visit. To welcome the Dalai Lama is one matter, but we’re trying not to offend China at this crucial moment.
Are you worried that China might invade Taiwan? Of course I’m worried about conflict [with China]. That’s why we’re so cautious. We have to be responsible.
