台湾大統領「台湾と米国の関係はブロークバック・マウンテンのようなもの」

`Brokeback Mountain' sets good example, Chen says
By Chang Yun-ping
STAFF REPORTER
Friday, Feb 24, 2006,Page 3 - Taipei Times

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday used the Oscar nominated movie Brokeback Mountain as an analogy to describe relations between the US and Taiwan, stressing the importance of both sides seeking ways to reconcile and cooperate with one another to reach the common pursuit of a "great new world."

"Although challenges abound on this road ahead, as long as we believe in the value of this common mission and in ourselves, there is no obstacle too great or mountain too high," said Chen, who made the remarks last night at a banquet held by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (AmCham).

The banquet was attended by around 550 people, including Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and American Institute in Taipei deputy director David Keegan.

Although Brokeback Mountain revolved around the issue of same-sex relationships, its most profound lesson transcends the love affairs in the movie, Chen said.

"It motivates us to understand that all of us are bound to make a difficult decision in life; yet we must strive to dispel prejudice, create trust, uphold mutual respect, and seek ways to reconcile and cooperate with one another, because only by so doing can we together reach the frontier of a `great new world,'" he said.

During the speech, Chen also reiterated the importance of the government's new cross-strait economic policy of "active management, effective opening."

Pressed to comment on Chen's analogy, Ma said last night that for US-Taiwan relations to be like the characters in Brokeback Mountain, both parties needed to trust each other.

The two main characters in the movie knew what the other was thinking and doing at all times, and did not spring "surprises" on each other, Ma said.

When questioned about the president's ongoing plan to disband the National Unification Council (NUC), AmCham president Tom Johnson said that although national security is a basic need which Taiwan is entitled to pursue, a strong economy will also add to the nation's overall security.

Johnson said that the foreign business community's confidence in the nation's investment environment remains strong and unaffected by the government's plan to abolish the NUC.

"I think it's very positive to invest in Taiwan ... You can see a lot of companies putting [money] into their infrastructure to support these. I do think you'll continue to see investments. These are very exciting areas," Johnson said.

Johnson said that Chen's Brokeback Mountain analogy demonstrates the value of cooperation.

Relationship With U.S. Like Brokeback Mountain Story Taiwan's President Says
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
February 24, 2006 - 12:00 am ET

(Taipei) The President of Taiwan says that the relationship the island nation has with the United States is like the message in "Brokeback Mountain", the Academy Award nominated film by Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee about two cowboys in love.

"It motivates us...to understand all of us are bound to make difficult decisions in life, yet we must strive to dispel prejudice...and seek ways to reconcile and cooperate with one another," President Chen Shui-bian told a gathering of more than 500 American business leaders in Taipei.

"There is a 'Brokeback Mountain' in each and every one of us."

"I deeply believe that the common pursuit of a 'great new world' by both Taiwan and the United States will guide us to a place where universal values - democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity - can be fully realized in the world we share," Chen told the business leaders.

While touting his government's economic policies he made no mention of his plan for future relations with the People's Republic of China.

"Brokeback Mountain" has been playing to packed theaters in Taiwan where Ang Lee is highly revered.

But, across the Taiwan Strait in China the film has been banned by government censors.