Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday affirmed that the semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation plays an irreplaceable role in cross-strait negotiations, noting that it is a tactic of China to avoid dealing with the organization.
Yu added the government would use the resources of the private sector to help start official talks between Taiwan and China.
Yu made the remark one day after Chen Yunlin (
The two named were Kao Chin-yen (高清愿), CEO of the Uni-President Group (統一企業集團), and Wang Yung-ching (王永慶), head of the Formosa Plastics Group (台塑集團).
The suggestion was believed to have been raised in response to a proposal brought up by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) about two weeks ago, in which Chen said that the Taiwan government would consider authorizing civil organizations to negotiate with China on the issue of direct links.
In doing so, however, the government will follow three principles -- namely, that the status of Taiwan must not be degraded, that Taiwan must not be made to become a local government and that Taiwan must not be marginalized, according to Chen.
Without stating whether the government would accept China's suggestion, Yu yesterday said that the government should be creative and flexible in its efforts to promote cross-strait relations, while making sure that any moves conform to the law and basic government policy.
As political parties in Taiwan, China and the international community may view the "political implications" of cross-strait interaction in different terms, Taiwan must galvanize public opinion so that it can act in a coherent fashion, Yu said.
Yu said this will prevent the outside world from misjudging the situation in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, sources from the Presidential Office said yesterday that the apparent willingness to alleviate tension shown by leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait recently has nurtured an atmosphere that is positive for pushing direct links.
The source added, however, that Taiwan should stand firm on its position that direct links won't go anywhere unless China agrees to shelve political differences and resume talks.
"Moves on China's part, such as designating Taiwan's negotiators and dictating the way negotiations should proceed, are clearly united-front tactics adopted in light of the current situation in Taiwan, where some local businessmen are pressing the government to lift the ban on direct links," a member of the National Security Council said.
"If China insists on making the `one China' principle and `one country, two systems' preconditions for negotiations, it will be very difficult to press ahead with direct links," the security council member added.
The source at the Presidential Office told the Taipei Times that the public is well aware that the statements made by businessmen like Wang and Evergreen Group Chairman Chang Jung-fa (張榮發) to pressure the president on direct links represent the commercial interests of their enterprises.
"Since the DPP government came to power, many people have shuttled across the Strait. These people often tried to convey some messages or claimed to be some sort of secret envoy.
"Surely some of them are businessmen or entrepreneurs, and society will pass judgment on whether these people truly represent themselves or the people," the aide said.
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