A close advisor to president-elect Chen Shui-bian (
"The new president will talk about historical facts, which are not relevant to the `Koo-Wang' consensus in 1992," said the advisor, who is part of a task force writing the speech.
According to the consensus, both sides agreed there was only "one China," but agreed to disagree over how that was to be interpreted.
"Chen is not prepared to directly use such words as `one China' in his response to the Chinese government, but is sure to clearly state his position in a way that Beijing will understand," the advisor said.
Media reports have recently speculated that the content of the inaugural speech will include references to the opening of direct links with China -- trade, transport and communications.
Chen may also reiterate the so-called "four no's" -- no plebiscite on independence, no enshrining President Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) "special state-to-state" model of Taiwan-China relations into the Constitution, no to formally declaring Taiwan independence, and no changes to the name of the country.
Sources pointed out that the new president needs to outline the main direction of his government during his speech, instead of detailing his policies -- a task which should be left to the Cabinet.
"The President will choose his words very carefully when talking about national sovereignty, to avoid provoking China's leaders," one source said. "But the part on cross-strait relations will not exceed the parameters of what Chen has already said."
Sources told the Taipei Times that Chen has discussed his inaugural speech with over a dozen advisors.
"Chen has talked to different circles of scholars on different issues, but only a few participated in the entire process," the source said.
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