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Don't vote on independence: US

The US, in its first reaction to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) plan for a "defensive referendum," said on Monday it would oppose any such referendum if it touched on the topic of independence for Taiwan.

"We would be opposed to any referenda that would change Taiwan's status or move toward independence," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters in Washington.

"We oppose any attempt by either side to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait," he said. "We also urge both sides to refrain from action or statements that increase tensions or make dialogue more difficult to achieve."

Boucher's statement reflects nervousness on the part of George W. Bush's administration that Chen's push for a referendum and a new constitution could spark increased tensions at a time when US-China relations are the best they have been since before the Tiananmen massacre, and when Washington is reliant on Beijing's cooperation in the Korean Peninsula, the war on terrorism and Iraq.

Next week's trip to Washington by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶), in which Wen is expected to make Taiwan a main point of discussion, has added to the urgency in the US Capitol.

Nevertheless, the administration has given no indication that recent events have changed its strong support for Taiwan. Officials in recent weeks have reiterated Washington's opposition to the use of force in the Taiwan Strait by China and have indicated that the US would be prepared, if necessary, to respond on Taiwan's side if Beijing resorted to military action.

In opposing a status-changing referendum, Boucher reminded Chen of his inauguration pledge not to declare independence, change Taiwan's name, add "state-to-state" wording to the Constitution or promote a referendum to change the status quo on independence or unification.

"We appreciate President Chen's pledge in 2000 and his subsequent reaffirmation of it, and we take it very seriously," Boucher said.

He added that cross-strait dialogue is "essential to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait area."

Boucher's comments came as China warned Chen against holding the defensive vote, which it described as an "independence referendum."

An article in the official China Daily on Tuesday quoted "researchers on cross-straits studies" as accusing Chen of "starting an ill-considered attempt to initiate an independence referendum next year."

The story quoted Mu Xiankui of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences as saying that Chen "seems to be bent on pushing ahead with his separatist scheme by plotting to call the independence vote ... Choosing independence means the choice of war."

The article also cited the Cairo Declaration signed by the US, China and Britain on Dec. 1, 1943, in which Beijing demanded all of Japan's previously occupied territories, including Taiwan, be returned to China.

The article said the declaration "provided effective legal evidence" that Taiwan was part of China under international law.

See story: Cabinet says referendum is legitimate
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