Anti-nuclear activists fed up with promises

Anti-nuclear activists say they're giving up on politicians who advocate a nuclear-free Taiwan but fail to pursue policies that support that ideal.

The nation's anti-nuclear movement suffered a setback Friday after the Cabinet refused to hold a non-binding referendum on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (核四) during the year-end elections.

According to Pan Han-chiang (潘翰疆), vice secretary-general of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, until now, the strategy of the anti-nuclear movement has been flawed.

"We used to work closely with political figures," Pan said.

Instead, activists now plan to take their case to straight to the public, holding workshops to spread anti-nuclear ideas and training hundreds of volunteers.

"Now is the time to awaken the public to form an overwhelming majority that can force the government to review environmental policies," Pan said.

In explaining its Friday decision, the Cabinet said holding a non-binding referendum on the controversial plant would create unnecessary uncertainty at a time when the nation is in the midst of an economic downturn.

The announcement has infuriated anti-nuclear activists. Kao Cheng-yen (高成炎), convener of the Taiwan Green Party, criticized the DPP and the government for being "unduly" influenced by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).

Before coming to power, Chen and many other senior DPP officials were comrades-in-arms with anti-nuclear activists.

But the relationship has come under strain, and Kao said yesterday anti-nuclear activists would abandon politicians who didn't keep their promises.

Shih Shin-min (施信民), convener of the Nuclear Free Country Association, said the Cabinet's "reactionary decision" would lead the public to doubt whether the DPP continues to support the ideals of "democratic rights" and "progress."

Disappointed in elected officials, anti-nuclear activists feel their energy could be better spent on public education officials.

According to Pan, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union plans to launch several information campaigns to coincide with the year-end elections. The group will hold two anti-nuclear workshops by the end of September.

"We plan to train more than 100 activists to support anti-nuclear legislative candidates and oppose pro-nuclear candidates," Pan said.

The activist said the workshops would target university students and teachers at the elementary or high school level.

In addition, members of the group plan to attend the annual meeting of the No Nukes Asia Forum in Seoul next month.

On the frontlines in Kungliao (貢寮) township, Taipei County, where the controversial plant is being built, hope diminishes with each additional setback.

Lai Wei-chieh (賴偉傑), secretary-general of the Green Citizens' Action Alliance, said it was difficult for Kungliao residents to keep a positive attitude.

"Why do they have to suffer from the uncertainty created by a controversial policy?" Lai asked.

Lai also said that resumption of the plant's construction has created controversy in Japan.

Generators made by Japanese firms for the plant are scheduled to be exported to Taiwan next year.

Several Japanese lawyers opposed to Japan's export of nuclear technology plan to visit Kungliao this week to meet with anti-nuclear activists.