Premier says Ma's cross-strait ideas are not feasible

Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday that although Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) had been able to promote himself while overseas, he had failed to offer a workable proposal on cross-strait issues.

Su made the remarks at a press conference, his first time facing the press since assuming office two months ago.

Asked to comment on Ma's idea of a modus vivendi, Su said that it would not be accepted by the Chinese government.

MA'S PROPOSAL

Under his modus vivendi proposal, Ma suggested resuming negotiations with China under the so-called "1992 consensus," building a military trust mechanism, promoting a common market across the Taiwan Strait and expanding Taiwan's international participation.

Ma also said in a speech he gave in New York that the definition of "one China," the principle embedded in the so-called "1992 consensus," should be the "Republic of China."

Su praised Ma's proposal to expand Taiwan's international participation, but he said the international community would never accept the "Republic of China" as fulfilling the definition of "one China."

OLD IDEA

Su said the idea of establishing a military trust mechanism across the Strait was brought up by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in February 2004.

"Ma's proposal of a modus vivendi is not a new idea, but it is different from Chen's remarks in terms of the insistence of Taiwan's sovereignty," Su said.

"For the Democratic Progressive Party, the nation's sovereignty cannot be discounted. But Ma's argument has blurred the nation's sovereignty," he said.

Regarding Ma's remarks that he would express opposition to China if it continued to repress Taiwan's international space, Su said he wondered "if it could be said that Ma has never felt angry about China's repression in the past?"

As for the arms procurement bill, which has been blocked in the pan-blue camp dominated legislature since mid-2004, Su urged Ma to keep his promise to support "reasonable arms procurement" and move the bill forward for discussion in the Legislative Yuan.

PUBLIC RELATIONS TRIP

"Ma's [US trip] has achieved his goal of getting his name known in the US and as a warm-up exercise [for the 2008 presidential election]," Su said.

"After Ma's return, I hope the KMT's version of the arms procurement bill will come out as soon as possible to show the nation's determination regarding self-defense," Su said.

also see story:

Ma shows true color in US speech