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China threat focus of vote, DPP says

From left to right, Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator Lo Chih-ming, TSU legislative leader Liao Pen-yen, People First Party legislative leader Chou Hsi-wei, and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Lee Chia-chin fight yesterday over a document that bears legislators' signatures for the motion to halve the number of seats in the legislature. A TSU motion yesterday called for changing the rules for establishing the ad hoc legislative committee needed to push through constitutional amendments. PHOTO: FANG PIN-CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday the issues raised in a "defensive referendum" could focus on asking China to dismantle its missiles pointed at Taiwan and deterring Beijing from imposing the "one country, two systems" formula on the nation.

DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) said yesterday the two issues could be used to quell fears the administration is pushing for a referendum to change the country's sovereignty or to contradict Chen's "five noes" promise.

Lee quoted DPP Legislator Trong Chai (蔡同榮), an advocate of using referendums to promote independence, as saying, "The holding of a defensive referendum should be related to the country's sovereignty. For example, the vote on the `one country, two systems' formula is a good idea for the voting topic."

Lee said after the party's weekly Central Standing Committee meeting yesterday that, "We hope the unified opinion of the 23 million Taiwanese people can force Beijing to dismantle the missiles targeted at Taiwan.

"It's like each Taiwanese writing a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao."

Lee Ying-yuan, DPP deputy secretary-general

"It's like each Taiwanese writing a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), asking the Chinese leadership to give up the use of force against Taiwan and to give up imposing `one country, two systems,'" he said.

Lee said Chen, also the party's chairman, explained in the committee meeting that there are four types of missiles deployed along China's southeast coast aimed at Taiwan.

DPP Legislator Gao Jyh-peng (高志鵬) said the four types of missiles are the M-11, M-11A, M-9 and a variant of the M-9.

During the committee discussions, DPP legislative caucus whip Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) asked whether the missiles were armed with nuclear warheads.

Director of the party's China Affairs Department Chen Chung-hsin (陳忠信) said intelligence reports did not suggest that was the case. He also added China's cruise missiles are still not available for use to attack Taiwan.

Lee said many committee members believed a vote against China's missile deployment would be a good topic for the "defensive referendum."

Chen said the topics are open to discussion and encouraged more public debate on the issue before finalizing the agenda for the referendum, to be held on March 20 next year.

Lee said academics have suggested urging China to make a goodwill gesture on the missile issue before the Lunar New Year.

Lee added that the party has almost reached a consensus on the referendum issue and quelled dissenting views within the party on the proposal.

DPP Legislator Hung Chi-chang (洪奇昌), a member of the party's New Tide Faction, which was reported to have disagreed with Chen's plan for a "defensive referendum," stood behind the president.

"It's the president's right to initiate a referendum to ensure the completeness of the country's sovereignty should the country be under a foreign threat. I believe the president will propose the most appropriate topics [for the referendum] at the most appropriate time," Hung said.
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