Mass movement key to national sovereignty: Lee

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday said he would help build a platform for the establishment of national sovereignty, and he welcomed all who identified with this ideal -- regardless of political inclinations -- to join the platform, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator said yesterday.

DPP Legislator Lin Chung-mo (林重謨) and DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) visited Lee yesterday morning at his residence in Tahsi, Taoyuan County, to discuss the political situation.

The legislators said Lee was focusing his attention on the creation of of a new constitution and establishing a sovereign Taiwan. They did not, however, discuss December's legislative elections nor competition for the post of legislative speaker.

"Lee said that Taiwan should have a platform for the establishment of its sovereignty, and this platform can be used by the Taiwan Solidarity Union, the DPP and the pro-localization faction of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)," Lin said.

promotion

Lin said that promotion of the platform would require a mass movement, citing the 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally on Feb. 28 this year as an example.

"Lee also said that his vision for the country's political system was built around the notion of two pro-localization parties competing for power, and that those parties which do not support localization would gradually disappear from politics," Lin said.

Meanwhile, Ker said that Lee would meet with veteran politicians and intellectuals, including democracy activist Peng Ming-min (彭明敏) and Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝) next week to discuss the details of possible versions of a new constitution.

"Lee also said his promotion of a new constitution would not be a burden for President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), but rather would help him," Ker said.

arms deal

According to another DPP legislator who wished to remain anonymous, Lee confirmed in the meeting that he met Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) last week to talk about an arms deal with the US and internal KMT politics.

The legislator said Lee had told Lin and Ker that KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) were now powerless and ineffectual and that the DPP should not follow in the KMT's footsteps.

Lee, the legislator continued, had expressed concern about recent remarks by Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) and DPP legislator Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄) which had angered sections of the public, and said the DPP should unite so it could grow in strength.