Pacifist group targets arms

The newly-formed No War Home-land Alliance said yesterday that it is seeking to hold a referendum on the NT$618 billion (US$18.07 billion) arms procurement budget pending approval in the Legislative Yuan.

The referendum push marks the latest increase in public opposition to the budget, which has been passed by the Executive Yuan. It proposes to spend the money over 15 years.

"We are not against national defense; we are against a budget which proposes taking money away from future generations of Taiwanese," alliance head Chou Sheng-hsin (周聖心) said.

The group is calling for a referendum on two questions. The first would read: "I object to the government paying for arms purchases by selling national land, taking on debt or selling government shares in national industries [yes or no]."

The second reads: "I agree that the government should enter equal-status negotiations to arrange a 50-year peace agreement to maintain the status quo to benefit people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait [yes or no]."

The group is opposed to selling government assets or accumulating debt because it would hurt the welfare of the people, Chou said.

"If there has to be an arms budget, then we suggest levying a national tax. That way the government would have to get the approval of the people before initiating the budget," Chou said.

"We want the status quo. Hopefully, in 50 years, there will have been enough generational or ideological change for further consideration of the problem of Taiwanese independence," Chou said.