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Chen's `own way' remark played down

A top official in the DPP yesterday sought to play down remarks made by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in which he said Taiwan could "go its own way" if China did not respond to his goodwill.

Chen Chung-hsin (陳忠信), recently appointed as director of the DPP's Chinese Affairs Department, said there was no need for China to overreact to Chen's remarks because it was only natural for a Taiwanese president to pursue the country's interests by insisting that "the country's future should be decided by Taiwanese."

The official's comments came after China's official Xinhua News Agency published a tough-worded warning to President Chen on Thursday.

The article lambasted Chen's statements as not helpful in bettering cross-strait relations. It further demanded that Chen clearly explain clearly "what sort of way Taiwan plans to go?"

On Sunday President Chen became the DPP's chairman, proposing party-to-party talks with China but cautioning Beijing that Taiwan would not rule out the possibility of going its own way if the impasse between the two sides continued.

Chen's move was considered as a response to the surprise announcement that Pacific island state of Nauru, one of Taiwan's few diplomatic allies, was establishing diplomatic ties with China.

"Throughout his speech Chen sent maximum goodwill to China. The brief statement was simply made in response to Beijing's move to lure Nauru into its fold by playing what he termed `money diplomacy,'" the DPP official said. "It was a low-key response that attempted to assert that Taiwan's destiny can not be determined by others."

Commenting on China's criticism in the article, which claimed the DPP was responsible for stalling dialogue with China by clinging to its pro-independence party platform, the official said there was room for discussion, but the party had no plans to amend its charter.

He said the real factor hindering communication between the two sides was "a lack of mutual trust" and that both sides were maintaining a wait-and-see attitude.

It would be better to take each other's positions into account, respect their differing views and try to meet in the middle, the official said.

Nevertheless, he said, the party could consider abolishing the rule which prohibits DPP members from visiting China in capacities other than as party members.

While the DPP is under pressure from China to take the independence clause out of its charter, its ally the TSU has threatened to withdraw its support for the government if the DPP softens its independence stance.

TSU city councilor candidates yesterday accused the DPP of pandering to China by wanting to alter its charter and the party's "1999 resolution regarding Taiwan's future" -- which declared that Taiwan was an independent sovereign state whose name was the ROC.

The TSU members said that if the DPP fails to insist on its ideals, they would have to reconsider their collaboration with the ruling party.

The DPP official denied his party intended to change its charter, saying the proposal merely reflected the views of a few DPP members.
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