TSU seeks support for patriotism law

TSU lawmakers yesterday vowed to push forward the passage of the draft referendum law by the end of this legislative session.

The draft would grant people the right to decide the nation's name, flag and national anthem.

Disagreeing with their DPP counterparts who believe the passage of the law would be like setting off "a nuclear bomb" for cross-strait relations, TSU legislators said that Taiwanese should not be looking over their shoulders all the time to see how China is reacting.

The TSU is seeking the DPP's support for the referendum law in exchange for backing up the DPP in its choice of head for the Examination Yuan.

"The reason why the TSU raised the issue is because it is in the best interests of the nation. In the face of China's intimidation, Taiwanese should be given the right to decide the future of the country. We cannot always put China's reaction at the top of our list of concerns," said TSU lawmaker Lo Chih-ming (羅志明).

He added that he regretted the remarks made by DPP legislative whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), who said the proposal would be like casting an explosive at relations with Beijing.

Whether Taiwan should pass a referendum law to seek consensus on contentious issues has long been a sensitive subject.

DPP Legislator Trong Chai (蔡同榮) has been pushing the passage of such a law for years, but to no avail. Looking at the possible obstacles he may face in his own party, Chai has sought support from the pro-Taiwan TSU.

While campaigning for the presidential election in 2000, Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) promised not to use the referendum to change the country's title, flag and national anthem.

Given signs that DPP leaders have remained cool to the proposal, TSU lawmakers said they felt obliged to take up the initiative "to safeguard the rights of Taiwanese."

According to the TSU draft, except for laws relating to government budgets and taxation, as well as wages and benefits for civil servants, all other decisions -- including ones relating to the national flag, the title of the nation and the national anthem -- may collectively be made by the citizens of this country through a referendum.

Lee Shang-ren (李先仁), director of the TSU's policy center, said that the push for the law has highlighted the differences between the TSU and the DPP, adding that "Taiwan would prove itself to be a more democratic country if the law is passed."

Displeased with Ker's remarks yesterday, Lo said that the TSU lawmakers would use the law as a bargaining chip in negotiating with the DPP.

In exchange for the DPP's support, the TSU would back up its "pan-green" ally by supporting senior adviser to the president Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文) in his bid to become president of the Examination Yuan.

The legislature is expected to vote on the candidates for president, vice president and the nineteen members of the Examination Yuan by the end of this session.

"We can't be a `yes-man' for the DPP, agreeing with whatever they demand," Lo said.

He added that President Chen would soon invite TSU lawmakers to dinner to exchange views on current political affairs.