Chen does not follow Lee's lead

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) did not repeat former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) call to change the country's name to "Taiwan" when he referred to the DPP's "1999 resolution regarding Taiwan's future" yesterday.

However, the TSU -- the DPP's tiny but critical ally -- vowed it will push for the passage of the referendum law in a bid to carry out Lee's appeal through a plebiscite.

Lee called for the rectification of the nation's name from the Republic of China to Taiwan and for the enactment of a new Constitution on Saturday.

Although the idea was welcomed by pro-independence groups, it has put the DPP in a difficult position as the party seeks to shun ethnic tension by sticking to the 1999 resolution.

The resolution states that Taiwan is an independent sovereign state whose name is the ROC. Any changes regarding this independent status quo must be determined by all people in Taiwan through a public referendum.

During his inauguration speech three years ago, Chen also pledged not to change Taiwan's formal name from the Republic of China, or endorse a referendum on formal independence so long as China has no intention to use military force against Taiwan.

While meeting with the party's staff in Taoyuan County, Chen said yesterday that the resolution has clearly indicated Taiwan's independent sovereignty and it has never been a part of China.

The president in the meantime lashed out at PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) when Soong said that Chen and Lee had reached an agreement over the issue during their meeting a week ago before Lee raised the idea in public.

The president said Soong was too "imaginative" because Chen's talks with Lee were centered on international affairs and the triangular relations between Taiwan, the US and Japan.

Besides drawing criticism from opposition groups, Lee's idea also triggered different responses from the pan-green camp.

TSU lawmakers called for legislation on a referendum law, a suggestion that the DPP has rejected for fear of breaking Chen's promise and angering Beijing and the US.

The TSU would back a referendum on politically sensitive issues, such as changing the country's name, but the DPP would only support a draft if it is not applied to issues related to national identity.

DPP legislative caucus leader Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said the right to vote is the fundamental power of the people, but it requires cross-party negotiation on how the law can be applied before it can be pushed at the legislature.

Regardless of the DPP's reservations, TSU Legislator Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘) said that his party will start to push for the referendum law next week. He said the law is necessary because it is up to all Taiwanese to determine the nation's political future.