The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) signed a secret accord before last year's presidential election, paving the way for senior KMT officials to visit China, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus alleged yesterday.
KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun's (
The DPP caucus also called on Chiang, who is due back tomorrow, not to sign any agreement with the Chinese government, saying that he could face life imprisonment were he to do so.
PHOTO: LIAO CHENG-HUI, TAIPEI TIMES
DPP caucus Secretary-General Chen Chin-jun (
The parties agreed to arrange meetings for high-ranking KMT officials, including Lien. They also agreed to form a unification committee, and push for direct links and the signing of a peace accord.
Despite Lien's losing the election, the agreement has gradually materialized as evidenced by three recent incidents, Chen said.
The first was Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (
Second, the KMT sent a delegation on Monday led by Chiang to visit China with the hope of pushing for cooperation and reconciliation with the CCP.
Chiang's visit will be followed by Lien's visit to China in June, when he is scheduled to hold a summit with Chinese Communist Party Secretary-General Hu Jintao (
Chen said that the KMT owes the public an explanation as to whether the delegation's purpose in visiting China is to "sell out Taiwan."
"I'd like to know what kind of deal the KMT strikes with the CCP, and what it will trade with China for its own gain," he said.
Hsu Kuo-yung (
Article 113 of the Criminal Code stipulates that persons not authorized by the government who take the liberty of signing a contract or agreement with a foreign government are subject to a minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
DPP caucus whip Lai Ching-teh (
"I hope the KMT sees clearly what the Chinese government is up to and refrains from falling into the snare set up by China," Lai said.
While over 90 percent of Taiwanese people say they oppose China's "Anti-Secession" Law, and the legislature has passed a resolution condemning the bill, Lai said that the KMT is sending the wrong message to China by sending a delegation there.
In response, KMT Legislator Kuo Su-chun (
"Such a groundless and audacious charge is defamatory and slanderous," she said.
"Instead of dampening our enthusiasm to do something for the country, I hope the DPP government recognize the effort we put in to better cross-strait relations, since it cannot, refuses to or doesn't have the guts to do anything," she said.
While President Chen Shui-bian (
"What the DPP is good at is nothing but fabricating unwarranted accusations and smearing others' reputations," he said.
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