Sun, Feb 27, 2005 page8

• President Chen betrayed the voters

  • By the Liberty Times editorial
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  As a result of the meeting between President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), a joint statement containing ten points of consensus was signed by the two. Those ten points included accepting the definition of the country's status in the Republic of China (ROC) Constitution and a reiteration by Chen of his "five noes" commitment. Acting in a manner suggesting willingness to engage in a heart-to-heart dialogue, President Chen even gave Soong a piece of paper with the word "sincerity" written in calligraphy. However, the so-called ten-point consensus was essentially a sharp blow for voters who elected Chen in this past presidential election. Now many of them may be asking this question -- President Chen, where is your "sincerity" toward us?

  Everyone ought to still remember that during the campaigns for presidential and legislative elections last year, President Chen loudly called for referendums, rectification of the names of Taiwan businesses and government offices abroad and the adoption of a new constitution -- triggering much international concern as a result. Those voters who supported him knew perfectly well that such campaign promises cannot necessarily be implemented immediately. However, at least they believed in Chen's determination to uphold Taiwan's sovereignty and security. In a country where Taiwan consciousness heightens by the days, many so-called moderate voters naturally cast their votes for Chen and DPP legislators.

  Unfortunately, after Chen's successful re-election, and especially after his appointment of Frank Hsieh as the new premier, those campaign platforms were one by one labeled "controversial" and then swept under the rug. At the time, most people did no more than criticize Premier Hsieh for deferring discussions of issues such as name rectification and the adoption of a new constitution. Now people finally realize that these changes were closely linked with President Chen. Both Chen and Soong are happy with the ten-point consensus reached during their meeting. However, those people who support nativization are deeply disappointed.

  Among the ten points, those related to the ROC Constitution and the commitment to not touch upon sovereignty and territorial issues in constitutional and political reforms have essentially sentenced Taiwan to death. Taiwan will continue to live under the shadow of the ROC Constitution, which was imposed by an alien regime. What a sad story for Taiwan's democracy. As Premier Hsieh once indicated, the ROC Constitution recognizes "one China." So long as Taiwan lives under this "one China" constitution, Taiwan remains vulnerable to to the People's Republic of China's "one China" principle. This also gives China even more justification for drafting its anti-secession law. Bluntly put, the conclusion reached between Chen and Soong will only make Taiwan's survival in the international community even more difficult.

  Pushing for cross-strait economic exchanges and direct cargo links -- or even direct passenger links based on the charter flights during the Lunar New Year -- will jeopardize Taiwan's survival. In the past four years, Taiwan has eased restrictions on investment in China, intensifying the speed of the flow of capital and technology to China and giving rise to serious unemployment and other industrial problems. United Microelectronics Corp's (聯電) alleged smuggling of investment and know-how into China indicates that the government lacks even a basic ability manage and control investments in China. Nor is it able to uphold the law. Under the circumstances, pushing for cross-strait economic and trade exchanges will only create even more serious problems. In addition, with comprehensive direct links, it would become even more convenient for Taiwan businesses to leave Taiwan. In the future, as vast numbers of people head to China for vacations, the nation's service sector will probably have trouble just staying alive. All talks about increasing tourism will become a joke.

  Ironically, the ten-point consensus went on to say that any change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait will require the consensus of the 23 million people of Taiwan. However, the points regarding the ROC Constitution have already ordered euthanasia for Taiwan's sovereignty, while those regarding cross-strait trade are euthanasia for Taiwan's economy. Aren't these all changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait? Have Chen and Soong asked for the consent of the 23 million people of Taiwan? In particular, the president did not even bother to check with the voters who elected him, let alone the 23 million people of Taiwan. How is this different from conning the voters? The level of popular support for the ten-point consensus will be reflected in future elections.

  After the ten-point consensus was released, the PFP could barely hold back their smirks. Some PFP lawmakers said the ten-point consensus incorporates all the ideals of pan-blue voters. Other PFP lawmakers said that all ten points reflect genuine and pure pan-blue ideals. Soong even explicitly pointed out that Taiwan independence is not an option. In other words, the ten-point consensus signified President Chen's surrender to the pan-blue camp and to China. Chen, who was elected by a majority of the people, has become the executor of the campaign platforms of his defeated election opponents. This is rarely seen in a democracy. No wonder everyone who support nativization feels enraged and is unable to understand Chen's betrayal of his campaign platforms.

  The ten-point consensus also raised the issue of easing ethnic rivalry and promoting ethnic harmony. This, of course, is laughable. Over the years, through marriages and other personal and business relationships across ethnic groups, so-called ethnic tension has long ceased to be a real issue. Ethnic frictions within society are not an issue at all. The so-called ethnic or racial problems nowadays are generated by politicians in order to further their own interests in elections or power struggles. In terms of this issue, both Chen and Soong have much self-examination to do.

  In a nutshell, with the ten-point consensus, there seems to be no need for China to draft the "anti-secession law" anymore. The consensus between Chen and Soong is the equivalent of Taiwan's own version of the "anti-secession law." Now that President Chen has destroyed Taiwan's sovereignty, why should China bother to dirty its own hands? Countries such as Japan and the US have taken a series of moves in recent days to caution China against playing with the fire by enacting its "anti-secession law." However, the leader of this country has willingly accepted the curse of the "one China" constitution just because he needs a legislative majority and in order to facilitate the passage of bills.

  According to the ten-point consensus, mutual peace is the supreme guiding principle in this phase of the cross-strait relationship. Peace is of course everyone's hope. However, in order to pursue peace, embracing the "one China" constitution and freezing Taiwan's sovereignty is extremely problematic. As pointed out by a declaration of the Taiwan Presbyterian Church, "inter-party negotiation and cooperation must be preconditioned on the independence of Taiwan's sovereignty" and Taiwan should draft a "Taiwan and China Relations Act." Therefore, the ten-point consensus is indeed very disappointing.

  We would like to make a public appeal, as the Presbyterian Church had already done: As the leader of Taiwan -- whose sovereignty awaits reinforcement -- your inevitable fate is to face challenges and difficulties of all kinds. Nevertheless, President Chen, you should be strong and persevere in order to pass the test. Do not seek simply to peacefully complete your term.
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