The so-called “1992 consensus” between Taiwan and China never existed and is nothing but a lie, former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday.
In an excerpt of an interview published by the Chinese-language Formosa Weekly, which was founded by former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), Chen described the “one China, different interpretations consensus” President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has been insisting on as “the biggest lie in history.”
Chen referred to talks between former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Huang Kun-hui (黃昆輝) and late Straits Exchange Foundation chairman Koo Chen-fu (辜振甫) to support his argument, saying it would be impossible for Ma to help Taiwanese reach a consensus regarding cross-strait issues based on the “1992 consensus.”
PHOTO: HOU CHENG-TAN, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen said he did not support the “1992 consensus,” which was based on “Republic of China [ROC]” or “president of the ROC.” The greatest common denominator between pan-blues and pan-green on national identity, Chen said, is “Taiwan,” not the “ROC.”
Chen said Taiwan’s democratization and future referendum proposals should focus on rejecting unification with China and protecting Taiwan.
Chen also accused Ma of lying when he said that it would be easier for Taiwan to sign free-trade agreements (FTA) with other countries after both sides of the Taiwan Strait sign an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA).
As Beijing never saw Taiwan as a country, but rather as a region of China, Chen said China could not agree that Taiwan is eligible to sign FTAs with other countries.
The Ma administration’s proposed ECFA originated from plans for a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) with China. A CECA is similar to the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) that was intended to “build closer economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and China,” Chen said.
Given China’s refusal to abandon the military option against Taiwan and the growing number of missiles it aims at it, any negotiations on a cross-strait peace agreement and establishment of cross-strait military security mechanisms would be made under a “one China” precondition, Chen said.
Chen said Ma was unlikely to benefit from his cross-strait policy in his re-election bid.
Chen has been confined at the Taipei Detention House in Tucheng (土城), Taipei County, since December 2008 on charges of corruption, money laundering and embezzlement.
Both Chen and his wife, Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍), were sentenced on Sept. 11 by the Taipei District Court to life in prison on several counts of corruption.
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