The Executive Yuan yesterday passed a draft bill on the establishment of the Aboriginal autonomous region, but Aboriginal lawmakers expressed lukewarm opinions over the government initiative.
\nAccording to the statute on the establishment of the Aboriginal autonomous region, each the nation's 11 Aboriginal tribes would be able to set up a tribal council of their own to be in charge of the establishment of their own autonomous region.
\nDifferent Aboriginal tribes could also jointly set up a single autonomous region and one single tribe could set up more than two or more autonomous regions.
\nThe autonomous region would have its own law, land ownership, political structure, economic system, society and culture.
\nThe central government would be able provide financial assistance to those autonomous regions with financial difficulties.
\nShould there be any disputes between the regions, the central government and the autonomous region or regions in dispute could ask the Legislative Yuan to mediate.
\nAutonomous regions having disputes could also turn to the Executive Yuan for intervention.
\nPraising the draft as an important milestone in the government's respect of a multi-ethnic society, Premier Yu Shyi-kun said that the approval of the draft marks one giant step toward the realization of President Chen Shui-bian's (
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
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