Some say change reeks of independence

Though the DPP government has said the move to include the word "Taiwan" in Roman script on the cover of ROC passports isn't a change to the country's formal designation, opposition parties yesterday remained unsatisfied.

Opposition politicians suspect the move is a gradual step toward the eventual elimination of the country's formal designation, "Republic of China" and a move toward independence for Taiwan.

While PFP lawmakers have proposed cutting NT$7.5 million earmarked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for passport renewal this year to the block the DPP government's plan, KMT and New Party lawmakers plan to file for a constitutional interpretation with the Council of Grand Justices.

The policy was first announced on Sunday by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) at an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the pro-independence Formosan Association for Public Affairs.

Later the same day -- after the announcement had triggered strong reaction from the opposition -- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that passport covers would include the line "issued in Taiwan" at the bottom of the passport cover instead of just adding the word "Taiwan" near the formal designation of "Republic of China."

Addressing the issue yesterday, KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) said his party would not tolerate any move intended to undermine the country's official designation.

"It is the responsibility of the head of state, civil servants and all the people to uphold the ROC's dignity," Lien said.

Lien was also critical of the decision-making process, noting that the decision had been made without a debate in the legislature or discussion among members of the public.

In what Lien called a "serious constitutional problem," the premier -- who is the nation's top executive -- was excluded from the decision-making process, Lien said.

"Some people say constantly that they love Taiwan and style themselves as advocates of a faction of the Taiwanese people, but their speeches and behavior often have brought harm to Taiwan," Lien said.

PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), meanwhile, urged the DPP government to reach a national consensus if its eventual intention is to make a change "at the constitutional level."

Soong said that the DPP should not try to "sneak" its true intentions through via a decision "at the administrative level" to confuse the general public, as an administrative decision does not require an announcement by the president.

He said the DPP government's lack of a sense of proportion in policymaking has been the cause behind many unnecessary controversies such as this one.

Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋), convener of the PFP legislative caucus, said though the idea to add "issued in Taiwan" to passport covers does not involve any violation of the Constitution, it is an unnecessary step that would only lead to a degradation of the country's international status and raise the tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Chou said that the priority of the government should be to improve the economy and cross-strait relations and his caucus proposed removing the foreign ministry's NT$7.5 million budget for passport renewal.

Lee Cheng-chong (李正宗), whip of the KMT legislative caucus, said the country's official designation is stipulated by the Constitution and cannot be changed arbitrarily.