President Chen Shui-bian (
"As the president, I must safeguard Taiwan's sovereignty, dignity and security and must assert that Taiwan is a sovereign state, not a part, province or state of someone else," Chen said while addressing National Sun Yat-sen University alumni in Kaohsiung.
"Only Taiwan's 23 million people have the right to decide Taiwan's future. Any change to Taiwan's status quo must be approved by Taiwan's people," he said.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
"Direct democratic rights, including referendums, are part of our fundamental human rights. I believe those rights can never be deprived, restricted or opposed by any country, government or individual," he said.
Chen's remarks came one day after two Chinese-language newspapers reported that the US has warned Taiwan not to hold a referendum on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant or the nation's desire to join the World Health Organization.
The United Daily News and Apple Daily reported on Saturday that Douglas Paal, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, said Washington opposed the referendums, planned to coincide with next year's presidential election.
Vice President Annette Lu (
Lu said she believed reports suggesting the true US position had been misinterpreted.
"I believe a country with high democratic standards like the US would not oppose it [Taiwan's holding a referendum]," Lu said.
She added that Chen had announced the "five no's" after being inaugurated as president on May 20, 2000. The promise included that he would not push for independence, but came with the precondition that China would not use force against Taiwan.
"Please don't forget that there is still such a precondition," Lu said. "If China infringes on such a precondition, the 23 million people of Taiwan could exercise their basic right to hold a referendum," she said.
Lu said the DPP and the Chen administration are evaluating the holding of referendums and have gained the support of opposition parties, which back the rights of initiation and recall as outlined in the Constitution.
Lu made the statements while addressing the opening of a public affairs class for women sponsored by the Ketagalan Institute, a DPP-backed academic organization.
Lu said the inauguration of the class shows that its 22 outstanding women are ready to dedicate themselves to studying issues relating to gender, national identity and ethnicity.
She encouraged women to challenge and analyze male chauvinism and create their own perspectives.
Lu urged members of the class to embrace independence, confidence and determination to face the challenges of modern society.
Former celebrity Chou Dan-wei (
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