Chen appeals to overseas pro-independence activists

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday appealed to supporters among overseas pro-independence activists, saying tense relations with China demand a more practical view of cross-strait relations.

Chen, who is struggling to appease foes at home and across the Strait, was addressing leaders from overseas pro-independence groups.

"As president, I have to look after the welfare of all of Taiwan's 23 million people," Chen said, appealing for understanding from his overseas allies, some of whom have voiced discontent at what they see as his increasing drift away from their cause. "This duty prevents me from freely speaking my mind."

Hundreds of pro-independence activists from Taiwanese communities around the world flew to Taipei last week and staged a series of events culminating in a rally on Sunday, where they urged Chen not to go soft on the cause of independence for Taiwan.

"Now that I'm in office, I can't renege on my campaign promises or people will feel shortchanged," the president said.

To stay above partisan rows, Chen has distanced himself from his party, the DPP.

Lin You-hsin (林又新), secretary general of the World Taiwanese Congress, said he considered it ill-advised for Chen to seek to please everybody. "The pro-China elements will never appreciate his effort," he said.

But Chen, whose administration has suffered repeated setbacks in the opposition-dominated legislature, assured his guests he would respect their freedom of speech just as he always respects that of the opposition parties.

"One year after my election, many are still unable to accept the transfer of power," Chen said, adding that democracy is about tolerating differences.

He said that the ban put on a visit to Taiwan by Japanese cartoonist Yoshinori Kobayashi (小林善紀)　was "unbelievable" and that Taiwan, which, he said, had repeatedly conveyed goodwill to China, should never have shut its door on a foreign author, however controversial his book may be.

The president said the tensions with China demanded a practical view of bilateral relations.

"It was former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), who broached the concept when he characterized cross-strait ties as `special state-to-state' in nature," Chen said, adding that he was in the process of defining the theory through consensus-building.

Some common ground must be sought among those who seek formal independence for Taiwan and those who support eventual unification with China, Chen said.

Polls show that most people in Taiwan favor the status quo, avoiding any declaration of independence but also balking at any quick moves toward unification with China.

"There's no way to satisfy all sides. Some say we're conceding too much while others say we're not conceding enough," Chen said during an earlier meeting with academics from the US.