Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu said Sunday civilized society has to carry on a long war to end violence as well as drug and sexual abuse.
Addressing the opening ceremony of an international seminar on ethics and moral rearmament, Lu said modern civilization is facing three serious threats or terrors: rampant violence, sexual abuse, and narcotics addiction. "We must fight these evils and eradicate all of them to protect our civilized way of life as well as human civilization," Lu said.
Over the past year, Lu said, the international community has seen a sharp rise in crime. One worst crime was the terrorist violence against the United States which claimed thousands of lives and caused tremendous property damage on September 11.
Lu reminded the world that war, like the one the United States is currently fighting against the Taliban in Afghanistan, cannot settle all the problems the three evils have brought to modern society.
Taiwan must join in the current U.S.-led war on global terrorism, Lu stressed. "At the same time," she said, "we must participate in the humanitarian aid campaign to help those who were displaced by the anti-terrorist strikes."
Many countries are increasing defense spendings to beef up their military strength, Lu noted. An arms race tends to lead to war, which sows seeds of hatred. "Hatred breeds hatred," she pointed out, adding that there will be no end to war.
Instead, Lu said, countries around the world should emphasize what she calls a "soft-touch" approach -- promotion of human rights, democracy, love, peace and high technology -- to the war on crime for the common good of mankind.
Touching on the problems facing the 21st century, Lu said, man should face up to the reality, review relations between the two sexes and re-create family ethics.
Although it has become a democracy, Lu said, Taiwan still has a long way to go to build a mature democratic culture. She took note of the heated campaigning for the Dec. 1 parliamentary and local elections, which have been marred by violence, mud-slinging and alleged vote-buying.
Candidates should refrain themselves, Lu chided. "I know rivals certainly are not going to love each other," she said, "but they should try to learn not to hate each."