Once dubbed "Mr. Democracy," former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) is now deemed a bellwether for Taiwan's independence.
At a founding ceremony of the national association of the friends of Lee Teng-hui (李友會) yesterday, pro-independence campaigners lauded Lee's past accomplishments during his 12 years in power. They also asked that he rejoin politics to guide his countrymen in their fight for Taiwan's sovereignty.
The recently established association -- with more than 120,000 members worldwide -- is the newest stronghold of Taiwan's independence movement.
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
Members include high-profile pro-independence advocates Ng Chiautong (
National policy advisor Hwang Kun-hu (黃崑虎) is named as the director of the association.
Lauding Lee's efforts to usher Taiwan into democratization, Alice King thanked him for abolishing the "blacklist," thus enabling her to return home after a 31-year ban.
"We needed Lee at that time, and we still need him now," King told the packed Taipei International Conference Center.
Recalling his long-term friendship with Lee, Ku commended Lee's accomplishments as a head of state and his heartfelt love for Taiwan, saying he is "a natural leader" with admirable charisma.
The some 3,000 attendees gave the 78-year-old former president a standing ovation which last several minutes.
Lee said that it was an honor to head the country for 12 years and that "people's voices" were his primary motivation to move forward during difficult times.
Addressing Taiwan's admission to the WTO, Lee said it was a significant step in Taiwan's move into the international community and "a step toward the realization of the state-to-state model."
Lee introduced the concept in 1999, saying cross-strait relations should be "special state-to-state" (
One of the most pivotal measures in his localization plan is to engage in educational reform -- to change the current curriculum from its China-centric focus to one that emphasizes Taiwan, Lee said.
He called upon the people to speak their minds, saying times have changed and people should not be afraid to make known their true thoughts.
"Let's speak up in our demands for the localization and democratization paths that have not yet been fulfilled in Taiwan," Lee said.
Considered the spiritual leader of the Taiwan Solidarity Union, Lee seized the chance to court votes for its candidates, saying that if elected, they would act as a critical minority to stabilize the political situation in the legislature.
Lee noted that the country's highest assembly should not allow itself to fall into chaos or become the body formed to "recall the president," and should bar individuals with criminal records.
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