Tue, Jun 12, 2007 page3

• Ma vows to end missile threat if elected

  • By Mo Yan-chih / STAFF REPORTER
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  Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday pledged to demand that China withdraw its missile threat against Taiwan, pursue a policy of rapprochement with China, cultivate a Taiwanese renaissance, "normalize" cross-strait relations and revive Taiwan's economy if elected.

  While reiterating his policy of resuming negotiations with China based on the "1992 consensus," Ma said that cross-strait dialogue would only proceed once China has removed its missiles targeted at the nation.

  "I will demand that China withdraw the missiles targeted at Taiwan, which would be a symbolic action showing China's willingness to negotiate with us peacefully," Ma said yesterday while meeting foreign reporters at KMT headquarters.

  Accusing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government of going against the interests of Taiwanese by provoking China, Ma pledged to negotiate a peace agreement and confidence-building measures with China to end hostility across the Taiwan Strait.

  Asked to comment on the long-stalled arms procurement bill in the legislature, Ma said he supported a "reasonable" arms bill and budget amounting to 3 percent of GDP, while expressing confidence in China's willingness to negotiate with Taiwan on a peaceful cross-strait relationship.

  "My policy is bilateral, not unilateral. It's a two-way street. Comprehensively normalizing our relations with China would be beneficial to both sides," Ma said.

  "As China becomes more affluent and stronger, I think it is growing more careful in handling international relations. ... It has a lot to lose if it were to start a war with Taiwan," he added.

  Ma said Taiwan should take advantage of China's economic growth to revive its own economy, and vowed to establish air and sea links with China and remove the investment limits on Taiwanese companies in China if elected.

  Ma said that his DPP rival in the presidential race, Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), was using the issue of Taiwanese identity to arouse the emotions of voters.

  The former KMT chairman said that he would lead the nation in a rational and realistic manner.

  "I don't want Taiwan to rock the regional boat. We will be a responsible stakeholder, not a troublemaker," he said.

  While stressing a positive cross-strait relationship, Ma condemned China for limiting Taiwan's international space, and said that he would negotiate with Beijing on giving Taiwan more international recognition.

  "We will explore the possibility of a diplomatic ceasefire with China. China doesn't need any more allies to show that it is internationally recognized," he said.

  When asked about the friendly gestures he has made to China, Ma denied being Beijing's preferred candidate, but declined to comment on whether he would push for unification with China if it were to become a democratic country.

  Also see story:
  Editorial: Ma remains a walking contradiction
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