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Chen betrayed his core supporters, says livid TSU

The Taiwan Solidarity Union's legislative caucus expresses its opposition to a Mainland Affairs Council claim that ``one country, two systems'' and unification are viable options for the nation at a press conference in Taipei yesterday. PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

Lawmakers from the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) repeated their complaint yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) inauguration address was too conciliatory toward China, and that he was trying to fool the people into thinking China would reciprocate his goodwill.

The lawmakers said Chen's soft approach amounted to a betrayal of those who supported him.

"What kind of goodwill did he receive from China? He fooled Taiwan's voters," TSU Legislator Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) said at a news conference, speaking on behalf of the pro-unification party.

Lo derided Chen's China stance with an earthy slang phrase de-scribing him as a suitor pursuing someone who wasn't interested.

During his campaign, Chen adopted a strong anti-China stance that had Chinese leaders fuming. The message played well with his core supporters, who oppose unification.

But since his re-election, Chen has sought to ease tensions with China and calm Washington's fear that he might provoke a war.

The TSU was especially upset with a part of Chen's speech saying the public hadn't reached a consensus on whether the nation should seek permanent independence from China or should move toward eventual unification.

Lo insisted that the majority of Taiwanese agree the island is a sovereign nation.

Democratic Progressive Party caucus whip Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) said the TSU should show more understanding for Chen. Tsai said Chen had done his best to consider several competing interests in the speech.

"The president was taking various things into account: domestic harmony, international support and cross-strait stability," he said.
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