In his inauguration speech, A-bian
A-bian's pledge to "maintain the sovereignty, dignity and security of our country" deserves applause and support.
His domestic agenda is also worthy of support, including the eradication of vote-buying and "black gold" politics; making both national and local government smaller and more effective; improving social order and environmental protection; building an impartial, independent judicial system; educational reform; and accelerating the 921 earthquake reconstruction projects.
In the global arena, A-bian's goals of extending Taiwan's room for international survival and contributing to the safeguarding of international human rights are laudable. However, it was not prudent to make premature, unilateral concessions to China by enunciating the "five no's."
A-bian pledged that "as long as the CCP regime has no intention to use military force against Taiwan," he will not declare independence, will not change the nation's name, will not codify the "state-to-state" model into the Constitution, will not promote a referendum to decide Taiwan's future, and will not abolish the National Unification Guidelines established under the KMT.
Since China has consistently refused to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, A-bian's qualifying language will in effect be ignored by the international community. The "five no's" represent huge concessions on the issues vital to Taiwan's ultimate status.
The concessions were made without a vigorous national debate. A-bian does not have a mandate from the people to move so precipitously toward the purported goal of unification. The move thus failed to follow democratic procedures.
The concessions seriously erode Taiwan's sovereignty, since no truly sovereign state will voluntarily give up its prerogative to change its name, constitution or domestic law. By appearing to be vacillating and vulnerable, the Chen Shui-bian
Our friends in the US, Japan and elsewhere who support Taiwan's search for an independent existence free from China's political control could find it more difficult to extend a helping hand to Taiwan, for fear that it may decline the help to avoid offending China.
There is ample evidence China is preparing for a war in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing will attack when it is certain of a quick victory. No amount of concessions, short of surrender, will deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The "five no's" have thus weakened, instead of strengthened, Taiwan's security.
A-bian should adopt a firm policy stance toward China by supporting the passage of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act in the US Senate and by making national defense his top priority. It is not too early to build up both civilian and military morale and take other necessary measures to bolster national defense.
The Taiwanese people won the respect of the world by defying China's intimidation and electing A-bian. Taiwan can have a bright future, but only if the government and the people can continue to show courage and resolve in protecting Taiwan's hard-won freedom.
Li Thian-hok is a board member at large of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs and chair of the diplomacy committee of World United Formosans for Independence (USA).
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