Opposition parties react cautiously to address

Local political reaction to Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) inaugural address yesterday was generally positive, with officials from various political parties acknowledging his overtures to China.

At the same time, however, some expressed disappointment in Chen's failure to provide any concrete measures to improve the cross-strait relationship.

In his speech, Chen appeared to express goodwill to China by mentioning the so-called "five no's" as long as Beijing has no intention of using military force against Taiwan.

The "five no's" refer to not declaring Taiwan's independence, not changing the national title, not pushing for the inclusion of "state-to-state" in the Constitution, not promoting a referendum to change the status quo on independence or unification, and not abolishing the National Unification Council or the National Unification Guidelines.

In the wake of the speech, officials from the major opposition parties -- including the KMT, the People First Party (PFP) and the New Party -- emphasized their future roles in playing watchdog to Chen's administration.

When reporters asked acting KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰), presently in Singapore, for his opinion about the address, he declined to comment directly, but said that the president's policies should focus on security, respect, peace and a clear future for Taiwan.

A reporter then said that Chen used the phrase, "Taiwan has stood up" in his speech. Lien responded by saying: "It should be the ROC has stood up."

PFP chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) in the US said that he had not seen the full version of the speech, but questioned whether the public was able to find cause for optimism, respect or a solution to Taiwan's problems in Chen's speech.

Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), rumored to be a potential Chen challenger in the 2004 presidential election, did show up to the inauguration, commenting only that Chen's address emphasized "stability."

KMT spokesman, deputy secretary-general Shaw Yu-ming (邵玉銘) was dismissive of the speech, saying Chen showed "no originality at all" and was merely mimicking KMT policies.

Although Shaw indicated Chen's policies -- such as the "five no's" -- were the same as the KMT's, Shaw said Chen had been "humble" to China.

New Party officials, by contrast, appeared more agreeable with Chen.

New Party convener Hao Lung-pin (郝龍斌) confirmed that Chen's speech illustrated the goodwill necessary to reconcile hostility between the two sides, in contrast with the DPP's tough position toward China.

Hao interpreted the speech's wording that leaders on both sides should "jointly deal with the question of a future `one China,'" as Chen's indirect way of recognizing the "one China" principle.

Shaw, meanwhile, insisted Chen's failure to mention the so-called "three links" was a glaring oversight.

Shaw said it was a pity that Chen did not mention issues such as direct links, the establishment mechanisms for peace and mutual confidence, and visits between leaders on both sides.