A group of TSU legislators said yesterday it would try to introduce an independence referendum bill in the legislature this month, threatening to unsettle financial markets and rile China.
"We will definitely push it. We will push it all the way," said TSU Secretary-General Lin Jih-jia (林志嘉).
"The ruling party does not want to deal with it now. But it can't oppose it either. How can you say you want to have a referendum when there is no legislation?" Lin said.
President Chen Shui-bian's (
"It is not among our priorities now," Ker said.
"We will push it only if the status quo is changed," Ker said.
Passage of the referendum bill would be an uphill battle.
The DPP and the TSU hold 102 of the 225 seats in the legislature, while the KMT and PFP have 112. The rest are independents.
Of the four referendum bills before the legislature, the most radical is proposed by the TSU. It calls for a vote on formal independence and changing the nation's national flag, anthem and official name to Taiwan.
The DPP wants to focus on the 2003 government budget, which calls for spending of NT$1.57 trillion. Debate on opening of direct trade, transport and postal links with China is another priority.
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