Tue, Aug 29, 2000 page1

• Chen puts focus on consensus

  CROSS-STRAIT POLICY Until Taiwanese are agreed among themselves as to the desirability or otherwise of unification, there is no point in talking about sovereignty with China, the president said

  • By Joyce Huang / STAFF REPORTER
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  Taiwanese disagree among themselves too much on the topic of unification for there to be any point discussing the issue with China in the near term, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday.

  Chen also stressed that the Taiwanese public must approve any plan to unify the two sides.

  "No single government, no single party, no single leader can make any decision on the future and direction of Taiwan," Chen said.

  

  PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING

  "Anything is possible, but whatever change and direction the future of Taiwan will take will have to be decided by the 23 million Taiwanese," he said.

  Chen's language at his monthly press conference was significantly tougher than the conciliatory tone he has used toward China since his inauguration.

  While not rejecting unification as a possibility for Taiwan, Chen spoke forcefully on the lack of democratic debate that has surrounded a concept often seen as anachronistic KMT ideology rather than a worthwhile national goal.

  "Was the goal of national unification reached through free and democratic procedures? Do the majority of people recognize it? Have we discussed it thoroughly?" he asked.

  In order to reach a national consensus on cross-strait policies, Chen said that he would accelerate and facilitate the operation of the cross-party task force, headed by Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲), which is expected to hold its first meeting on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2. Chen has said that he would attend the meetings himself.

  The president also yesterday downplayed the status of the National Unification Council (NUC,國統會), saying it was not the highest decision-making body on cross-strait policies but only an advisory board to the president.

  Chen's reluctance to chair the NUC, a body he once described as being "as useful as an appendix," has been used by the political opposition to denigrate the president's skills as a cross-strait peacemaker.

  "The public should not overemphasize the importance of the council and turn it into a forbidden totem," Chen told reporters in response to questions as to whether he would take up the chairmanship.

  Local media have been pressing the president recently to clearly state whether he will accept the position as did his predecessor, former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝).

  China has also been pressuring Chen on the issue. On Sunday, Chinese officials, speaking through state-run media, said Chen's hesitation was a sign that he "has not essentially changed his support for Taiwan independence."

  Although Chen did not flatly reject the post, he said he would continue to consider the decision, even though "it was a fact that the president should chair the NUC according to Article II of the NUC's regulations."

  Chen also said that not every advisory board should be chaired by the president himself. Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) headed the cross-party task force for cross-strait relations and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) heads a high-tech task force.

  Chen has already hinted twice that he is inclined not to accept the post. In addition to yesterday's press conference, Chen said during his recent overseas trip that "another political heavyweight" could assume the post.

  Chen also made reference to a recent poll that found that the majority of people preferred to maintain the status quo regarding Taiwan's future.

  "Taiwan does not want to become a part of the other side of the Strait, even though China has kept asking Taiwan to accept the principle of `one country, two systems' (一國兩制) and to become another Hong Kong or Macau," Chen said.

  Chen also said that China's shifting interpretation of the question of Taiwan had confused him since Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen (錢其琛) redefined the meaning of "one China" as "the mainland and Taiwan belonging to one China" on Aug. 24.

  He said Chinese officials have presented different versions of the "one China" policy to Taiwan's people and to the international community.

  Chen yesterday repeatedly appealed to all political parties to put the interests of the nation first and to support the cross-strait task force.

  When asked if he would meet with KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) to exchange views on cross-strait issues, Chen said that he was sincere in taking steps to reconcile any differences that the two parties may have and would be willing to cooperate with the KMT and other opposition parties at any time and any place.

  Lien has reportedly been cool on the idea of having an "A-bian-Lien" meeting (扁連會).

  Returning from his 13-day visit to African and Latin American countries last week, the president yesterday concluded that his trip had not upset the current relationship across the Strait as some had predicted would be the case.
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