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MAC mulls models for cross-strait talks

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday that it might consider adopting a "re-authorization model" to delegate powers to appropriate civil organizations to assist with the development of cross-strait negotiations.

Council Vice Chairman Jon-athan Liu (劉德勳) said yesterday that a proposal is under consideration for inclusion in the Statute Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (兩岸人民關係條例), which will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review next month.

The re-authorization model basically means that after the government authorizes a specific organization to do something, that organization can then authorize another organization to assist it.

Right now the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) is the only organization authorized to engage in cross-strait talks.

Officials have told reporters -- on condition of anonymity -- that the model is not intended to detract from the SEF's authority, but it is intended to respond to China's wish to negotiate with civil organizations other than the foundation.

If the new measures are approved, the SEF would be allowed to authorize other organizations to assist in negotiations with China.

Liu stressed that civil organizations would have to comply with certain conditions -- which will be regulated by amendments to the statute if the proposal is adopted -- in order to be considered eligible to work with the SEF.

"Qualified organizations will be carefully selected. This model is just a new mechanism for cross-strait talks, but not necessarily the only option," said Liu.

According to Liu, the proposed amendments are ready to be sent to the appropriate ministries for review. Liu, however, declined to give details of the amendments.

A special cross-ministry meeting will be held by the end of this month to finalize the amendments.

Regarding some of the statute's controversial articles, Liu said the MAC would present multiple proposals to the Executive Yuan and"leave it to top officials to decide."

Liu said officials from different ministries have diverse opinions about regulating direct transport links with China.

The Statute Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area was promulgated in 1992. The MAC decided to review the statute this year to take into account the changing cross-strait situation. The council reached a consensus with lawmakers to complete amendments to the statute by November.
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