Sun, Jun 02, 2002 page3

• `Pan blue' camp presses on with direct links legislation

  • By Crystal Hsu / STAFF REPORTER
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  Seizing on their victory of getting the legislation sent to committee Friday, opposition lawmakers vowed yesterday to push for passage next week of a draft bill aimed at removing remaining legal obstacles to direct transport links between Taiwan and China.

  Aware of their underdog position in the legislature, the ruling DPP camp again called for sanity, warning that legislation would only tie the government's hands in dealing with Beijing.

  KMT lawmaker John Chang (章孝嚴) said his party would join forces with the PFP and push suggested revisions to statutes on cross-strait exchanges through the Home and Nations Committee tomorrow and make them law on Tuesday.

  To that end, both parties have issued top mobilization orders, urging members to attend legislative meetings in the following week.

  "It is time that existing rules be amended to better reflect realities across the Strait," said Chang, who has devoted himself to promoting cross-strait ties.

  "The WTO membership further recommends the lifting of bans [on direct transportation] so the two sides may better adjust to the trend of globalization."

  If adopted by the legislature, the bill would allow ships and airplanes to travel directly between Taiwan and China.

  Chang said the DPP government has drafted a similar bill but is hesitant to introduce it pending the right timing.

  "We are only playing the role of advocates," he said. "Without pressure, the government will drag its feet in putting the policy into effect."

  Yesterday, opposition lawmakers succeeded in sending the legislation to the Interior Committee for review , despite the opposition of DPP lawmakers.

  DPP legislative whip Wang Tuoh (王拓) cast doubt on the opposition's enthusiasm, noting that direct links could never materialize as long as Beijing refuses to sit at the negotiating table.

  "It is useless for the country to unilaterally lift the ban on the proposed direct links," he said. "China will never allow boats or airplanes carrying Taiwanese flags to anchor at its ports."

  The legislation, which would oblige the government to disclose detailed measures on how it would permit direct links, would greatly limit its bargaining room, Wang said.

  He begged his opposition counterparts to think twice before pushing for the bill, noting that China has never retracted its threat of military aggression against Taiwan.

  Seeking to roll back the legislation, the DPP and its ally the TSU have also issued a top mobilization order.

  The Home and Nations Committee, where the opposition has the upper hand by a 12 to 9 margin, is expected to give the bill a green light tomorrow and thus forward it to a full meeting of the legislature for a second and third reading on Tuesday.

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