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Lawmaker warns critics not to give succor to Beijing

A ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative leader warned his opposition counterparts yesterday that their obstruction of the planned referendum would mislead the Chinese government and put the status quo of cross-strait relations in jeopardy.

"The DPP calls on Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and People First Party (PFP) members to stop hindering the government from carrying out the referendum on March 20, now that Cabinet members have approved the questions proposed by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday," Legislator Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) said.

Ministers and officials attending yesterday's weekly Cabinet conference gave the green light to Chen's referendum questions, signifying that the government has officially kicked off its preparation for the first nationwide referendum.

Tsai told the opposition parties that their resistance toward the plan could mislead Beijing about Taiwan's desire to manifest its resentment about military threats.

The continued objections of the pan-blues might deliver the wrong message to the international community and the regime in China about the referendum, the DPP whip said.

"It could further destabilize cross-strait relations and lead the Chinese government to make an erroneous judgment on the basis of the objections made by the KMT and PFP. Should that occur, it will impair the national interest," Tsai said.

The DPP caucus leader made the remarks in response to an announcement by PFP lawmakers yesterday. The PFP members said that they were considering bringing the two referendum questions to a legislative showdown on Feb. 13, saying that lawmakers' denunciation of the plan would delegitimize Chen's proposition.

"The statements made by PFP members so far are indicative of their lack of understanding about the intention of the Referendum Law (公民投票法)," Tsai said.

Tsai said that when the president initiates a referendum under Article 17 of the law, he is legally empowered to carry out an extraordinary proposal independently. A legislative resolution against the plan is inconsistent with the Referendum Law, he said.
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