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Referendum has become Taiwan's destiny: Hsieh

Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), as the Cabinet's representative, yesterday debated against writer and political commentator Li Ao (李敖), with both of them failing to answer questions put to them by academics arranged to take part by the Central Election Committee.

The second question of the referendum proposed by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is: "Do you agree that our government should engage in negotiations with China about the establishment of a peaceful and stable framework for cross-strait interactions in order to build consensus and for the welfare of the peoples on both sides?"

In the opening statement, Hsieh argued that it is the first time -- as well as a sacred opportunity -- for the people of Taiwan to voice their opinions about Taiwan's future to the international community through a referendum. Hsieh said the importance of the referendum is clear if people think about the whole issue, taking into account Taiwan's interests as a whole.

"We have to let the international community and China know about our people's firm opposition to China's missile threats and our goodwill in pursuing peace and the resolution to guard our land," he said.

"A referendum or the human chain rallies held on Feb. 28 are some of the best ways to express our feelings," he said.

Hsieh said that it would deliver a message to the international community that the people of Taiwan are split on their future if the referendum fails, and this would be a disadvantage for Taiwan when negotiating with China.

Hsieh urged the people of Taiwan to show their love for Taiwan by taking practical action.

"What we need is not metaphysical love. This is a critical historic moment for the people of Taiwan to show their love and resolution by casting their precious ballots," Hsieh said.

Li argued that the referendum launched by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a fake, as the DPP has been promoting the idea of Taiwan's independence and even put it into the party program.

Li asked why the DPP does not hold a real referendum on changing Taiwan's official name or the establishment of the Republic of Taiwan.

"I urged the courageous Taiwanese people to launch a referendum on Taiwan's independence.

"We will face the `one China' framework as soon as we start to negotiate with China. Taiwan has to deal with the name `Republic of China' since the `People's Republic of China' stands for the so-called `one China,'" Li said.

Although the CEC arranged three academics to put questions to both debaters -- Chao Chien-min (趙建民), a political science professor at National Chengchi University; Lin Te-chang (林德昌), head of National Sun Yat-sen University's NGO research center; and Yang Kai-huang (楊開煌) a political science professor at National Donghwa University -- they did not reply directly to the questions in the following debate.

Chao asked what other issues, apart from the political issues, should the negotiators deal with to improve the cross-strait relationship and establish negotiations on a reciprocal basis?

Li did not answer the question but continued to describe his opposition and criticism of the referendum. He said that Taiwan would not necessarily lose out in negotiations, as long as negotiators possess eloquence like Hsieh.

Hsieh said that the interaction of business, the development of cities or a solution to international crime might be issues that could help cross-strait interaction.

He said that Taiwan's referendum could teach the Chinese people to think about their own situation and help China to become democratized.

In his closing statement, Hsieh said that Taiwan should find a way that would give it dignity when negotiating with China, and the referendum is the answer.
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