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KMT has secret deal with Beijing: DPP

Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus Secretary-General Chen Chin-jun points to a chart at a press conference yesterday. Chen said that if the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) signed any peace agreement with the Chinese Communist Party without the consent of the government, it would be considered in violation of Article 113 of the Criminal Code. PHOTO: LIAO CHENG-HUI, TAIPEI TIMES

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 (江丙坤) visit to China and the planned trip of KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) were the result of the accord, the DPP said.

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.

DPP caucus Secretary-General Chen Chin-jun (陳景峻) said he has obtained intelligence indicating that the KMT inked a secret agreement with high-ranking Chinese officials in Bangkok in the run-up to last year's presidential election. He did not elaborate.

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 (馬英九) undercounting of the number of protesters in last Saturday's march agianst the "Anti-Secession" Law, which was a move that echoes Beijing's propaganda, Chen said.

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 (胡錦濤), Chen said.

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 (徐國勇), a DPP lawmaker and former lawyer, said that Chiang and Lien are risking committing a crime. If the delegation enters into any agreement with the Chinese government, regardless of whether it is in writing or spoken, they will be usurping the authority of the government and violating the Criminal Code.

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 (賴清德) said that the KMT's visit to China indicates that Beijing is using the KMT to reach its ultimate goal of unification.

"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 (郭素春) requested the DPP produce evidence to prove its allegation.

"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 (陳水扁) criticized Chiang's visit as "seemingly deranged with regard to space and time," KMT caucus whip Chen Chieh (陳杰) said that the DPP is suffering from a "nervous disorder."

"What the DPP is good at is nothing but fabricating unwarranted accusations and smearing others' reputations," he said.
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