Sun, Jan 18, 2004 page1

• Chen says his aim is to have peace

  DETERMINED President Chen Shiu-bian yesterday said at the opening of his campaign headquarters that he is set on holding a referendum to ensure cross-strait peace

  • By Chang Yun-ping / STAFF REPORTER
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  President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday reaffirmed his determination to hold a referendum for peace alongside the March 20 presidential election as a way to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and pursue regional peace and stability.

  One day after his announcement of the exact wording of the proposed referendum, Chen yesterday reiterated the reasons behind holding the referendum and sought broad international support to back the democratic progress of Taiwan, which he said has become one of the world's "precious assets."

  Democracy

  

  President Chen Shui-bian, center, waves a campaign flag in front of his supporters as Vice President Annette Lu, left, claps her hands at the opening ceremony of their national campaign headquarters yesterday.

  PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

  "In the process of furthering democracy and persevering in reform, Taiwan also wants to actively contribute to the international community and to assume the responsibilities and obligations as a member of the global village," Chen said during the launch of his national campaign headquarters in Taipei.

  "Taiwan has never been a burden for the international community and the Taiwanese people's pursuit of democracy, freedom, human rights and peace has inspired those nations and their people wishing to build a democracy and become a precious asset of global democratization," he said.

  Chen again explained the reasons behind holding the referendum, saying it is aimed at strengthening Taiwan's democratic achievements and maintaining regional peace and stability.

  "Over the past three and a half years, I have fully honored my `five noes' pledge. However, China, during the same period, has been continuously increasing the deployment of missiles targeted at Taiwan and has been intensifying its military preparations for an attack on Taiwan.

  Regional peace

  "China's purpose is patently obvious, that is, they aim to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through undemocratic and unpeaceful means, rather than working with us to maintain stability in the region. Nonetheless, for the sake of regional peace and stability, I am still willing to make every effort to safeguard peace across the Taiwan Strait. I remain resolute in this endeavor to the very end," Chen said.

  The president said the "March presidential election signifies not only whether Taiwan can achieve greater democracy and prosperity, but will also be a historic event when the first referendum in Taiwan is held. This is a concrete action by the Taiwanese people to announce to the world their desire for peace and happiness as well as a decision not to be threatened by force."

  In addition to reaffirming that the proposed referendum will go ahead, Chen said Taiwan has changed remarkably in the past three years under his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, in contrast to the five-decade rule by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).

  Chen said the differences are: First, the DPP believes that Taiwan and China are "one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait," while the KMT upholds its "one China" rhetoric.

  Chen said the various interpretations of the KMT's "one China" beliefs have all failed to distinguish themselves from the "one China" framework set up by China, which will marginalize Taiwan and reduce it to a local government under China.

  Difference

  The second difference, Chen said, is that the DPP administration upholds people's interests as its priority, while the KMT selfishly only has the party's own interests as its priority.

  Thirdly, the DPP government endeavors to eliminate the "black gold politics" manifested in rampant political corruption and election bribery of the former KMT regime, while the KMT continues this corrupt type of politics, Chen said.

  The fourth difference between the DPP and the KMT is that the DPP perseveres in reforms, while the KMT opposes any reform initiatives, he said.

  Thousands of supporters yesterday gathered at the opening of Chen's national campaign headquarters on Minsheng East Road, Section 3 in Taipei -- the same location as Chen's presidential campaign office four years ago.
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