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President calls off meeting with referendum activist

After President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) remark that there is "one country on either side" (一邊一國) of the Taiwan Strait caused an uproar at home and abroad, the Presidential Office yesterday canceled a meeting scheduled for today with DPP Legislator Trong Chai (蔡同榮).

Chai has for more than a decade sought unsuccessfully to push through a law that would call for a referendum on the nation's status in relation to China.

Chen made the controversial remark Saturday as he addressed the annual meeting of the World Federation of Taiwanese Associations in Japan via a video telecast. In the speech he said Taiwan must seriously consider passing a plebiscite bill to protect its sovereignty.

Just after Chen's speech, which has been widely interpreted as a DPP move to pass referendum legislation, Chai revealed that he will meet with the president today.

But Chai was informed yesterday morning that the scheduled meeting had been called off. Asked by the press about why the meeting was called off, the leading plebiscite advocate said, "I have no idea."

Chai said whether he would actively advocate the passage of the bill will depend on Chen's attitude.

"I think the president is currently keeping a close eye on how the US reacts [to his Saturday speech]."

He added that, although he is currently unsure about Chen's attitude on referendum legislation, he certainly will act according to the president's orders.

If Chen does not intend to push for a popular ballot on the issue, there will be no need for him to act against Chen's wishes, Chai stressed.

Chai said he would not propose any referendum legislation at the DPP's Central Standing Committee today.

He cited Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as examples of countries that gained independence through referendums.

He added that, if the people of Taiwan decide on their nation's status in a democratic ballot, it will become China's most thorny problem.

Chai is well known for his efforts to get a referendum law passed. He staged a hunger strike in the legislature in 1999 to demand that such a law be passed, but to no avail.
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