Decision on Fourth Nuclear Power Plant to be made by end of year

Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) yesterday promised that his Cabinet would make a final decision by late December on whether to continue construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.

Chang also reiterated the government's call for China to resume dialogue with Taiwan.

Chang made the remarks during the legislature's general interpellation session after presenting his first policy address to the legislature.

"We need to allow public discussion on [the feasibility of] the alternatives [to the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant], and make a decision once a consensus has been formed," Chang told lawmakers.

This is the first time that Chang has given a deadline on the matter. He had previously maintained that the Cabinet had no timetable for a decision on the project.

The fate of the nuclear power plant has been a concern of lawmakers since the Ministry of Economic Affairs completed its re-evaluation of the project in late September, recommending a halt to the project. The ministry has proposed alternatives, including privately-run gas generated power plants to replace the 30-percent-complete project proposed by the former KMT government.

Former premier Tang Fei (唐飛), who had expressed doubts over the feasibility of the alternatives and a personal preference for keeping the nuclear power plant, stepped down amid strong disapproval from within the anti-nuclear DPP.

How Chang, a DPP heavyweight, is to deal with the issue appears to be one of his greatest current challenges -- especially with the KMT, which still controls the majority in the legislature and insists the project should proceed.

Chang said he fully understands the public expectation for a quick solution of the uncertainties surrounding the project, adding that he would not delay the decision deliberately.

Chang, however, suggested that political factors should be kept out of the discussion over the issue.

"It should be discussed calmly from the perspective of public policy," Chang said.

Opposition lawmakers argued the "wavering" of the government's stance on its nuclear power policy was a cause behind the recent decline in the stock market, which they said reflected a loss of public confidence in the government.

"It is impossible for the public to reach a consensus [on the project]. This is a question that calls for a decision by the premier," said New Party legislator Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌). "The stock market has been falling because of the wavering of the government's policy."

Another issue that drew extensive concern from the lawmakers was Chang's policy on cross-strait relations.

Repeating a proposal put forth by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in his National Day address, Chang said Taiwan and China should work to build up peaceful, stable relations based on "the spirit of 1992."

"We hope for dialogue and negotiations, putting disputes aside. Any subject is negotiable on an equal footing," Chang said.

One aspect of recent cross-strait dispute has been whether there was a consensus reached on "one China" in 1992. China says both sides agreed to adhere to the so-called "one China" principle, with both sides having different interpretations as to the definition of "one China," and has been asking Taiwan to "return" to this principle as a condition to the restoration of cross-strait dialogue.

Taiwan, however, says the very existence of the different interpretations means that there was no cross-strait consensus on "one China." President Chen has described the situation as "agreeing to disagree." The positive dialogue and communication conducted despite the differences is referred to as "the spirit of 1992."