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Chen backs construction of Suhua freeway

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday said the construction of the controversial freeway connecting Suao (蘇澳) and Hualien was necessary, but would not proceed until the environmental analysis review had been passed.

Chen said it was an established government policy to build a round-the-island freeway and that it was necessary to build a freeway connecting Suao, Ilan County and Hualien County.

"However, we cannot go ahead with the project if the environmental analysis review fails to pass," he said. "That is the clear and definite position of the administration."

Chen made the remarks while addressing an annual meeting of non-governmental organizations held in Taipei yesterday morning to discuss the nation's environment.

Chen's comments came after Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said in last Saturday's public debate organized by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that he would not pursue the project if the results of the assessment were negative.

Su said he had ordered a second environmental impact assessment and he would favor protecting the environment if there was a clash between economic development and conservation.

As the Suao-Hualien freeway was part of Chen's election platform in 2000 and in 2004, Chen said that the freeway was the common desire of Hualien residents and that he had repeatedly pledged to protect the environment when there was a clash between development and the environment.

"But, if the impact construction would have on the environment was not that overwhelming, is it necessary to oppose the construction and development project or even to restrict or deprive the Hualien residents of their right to pursue prosperity and happiness?" he asked.

Chen said that there are two freeways in the western corridor and the railroad and high-speed rail systems connecting Taipei and Kaohsiung have considerably reduced traveling time between north and south.

While the freeway system connecting Taipei and Ilan had become operational, Chen said that the section connecting Ilan and Hualien was an important part of the round-the-island freeway system.

The imbalance between east and west would become bigger if the Suao-Hualien freeway was not built, Chen said.

"The administration must take the matter seriously and handle it with professionalism, responsibility and an optimistic attitude," he said.

The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday said it will call an environmental analysis review meeting by the beginning of next month at the earliest if the Ministry of Transportation and Communications supplies the documents the ministry had requested before then.

The EPA's 11-person review committee met on Jan. 18 and asked the ministry to provide more information responding to their concerns.

The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) four presidential hopefuls yesterday afternoon threw their backing behind President Chen's stance.

Su said he has always emphasized a balance between economic development and environmental protection.

Former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said the construction project came to a halt when DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun was premier, while he proposed an alternative plan after he became the premier.

Yu and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) agreed that the government must listen to the opinions of experts.
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