Acknowledging concerns felt by some about cross-strait relations, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen made the remarks while meeting with representatives of World Taiwanese, a businessmen's group, at the Presidential Office yesterday afternoon.
Noting the recent series of events including China's enactment of its "Anti-Secession" Law, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun's (江丙坤) trip to China and KMT Chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) departure for Nanjing, Chen said that "some [people] have expressed concern to me in private that they are worried that there are some people within the opposition parties who are using cross-strait exchanges as chips in their political rivalry and who want to isolate and attack the government and allow the other side of the Strait to divide us."
PHOTO: LIU HSIN-TEH, TAIPEI TIMES
"Such anxiety is understandable," he said.
"In view of the incessant threats and challenges from the other side of the Strait, Taiwan must unite domestically. Taiwan would be put in a very disadvantageous position if we disperse our strength," Chen said. "All 23 million people in Taiwan should understand this concept, regardless of ethnicity or political stance."
"Compatriots must have confidence in the government and in Taiwan ... the government has a comprehensive plan to promote its cross-strait policy as well as control the situation across the Strait," he said.
Chen reiterated his sincerity in offering to work with opposition leaders toward political reconciliation and cooperation between the governing and opposition parties.
"Since both Chairmen Lien and [People First Party Chairman James] Soong (
Meanwhile, in reaction to the clashes at CKS International Airport yesterday between pan-green supporters and pro-China forces, Premier Frank Hsieh (
"What those people did was against the idea of democracy and definitely illegal," Hsieh said. "All illegal behavior will be investigated and people could face indictments because law enforcement officials collected evidence at the scene."
The premier also reminded politicians to be aware of potential violence among their supporters.
He commented on the airport clashes while he was being questioned by lawmakers during yesterday morning's legislative meeting.
The premier said that the democratic ideal is that differing voices have the right to be heard and that right should be protected under all circumstances.
"It is absolutely wrong to force anyone to accept your opinion by violence in any form," he said.
"I am sorry for what happened at the airport but I assure everybody that all those who violated the law will be properly punished, no matter what political parties they belong to," he said.
Hsieh urged the people to unite to fight against a minority who resort to violence to voice their views.
The biggest problem is not cross-strait relations, he said, "It is the hatred between supporters of different parties."
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