Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed his opposition to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) plan to replace the UN referendums with a defensive referendum.
Facing US opposition to the nation's referendums on Taiwan's UN bid, Chen is reportedly seeking to call a defensive referendum as a substitute for the two proposed UN referendums.
Ma yesterday challenged the use of a defensive referendum and urged the president not to hold one.
"It would be an abuse of power for the president to hold a defensive referendum, as he is not required to seek approval from the legislature," Ma said during a visit to Hsinchu.
Article 17 of the Referendum Law (公民投票法) stipulates that the president may, following a resolution by the Executive Yuan, place national security matters before the public for a decision in a referendum, known as a "defensive referendum," when the nation is exposed to an external threat.
Ma said the KMT supported the UN referendums, but opposed the Central Election Commission's (CEC) decision to hold the referendums and the presidential election simultaneously.
"The real solution is for the CEC to hold the referendums and the presidential election separately. Proposing another referendum would only attract more resistance," Ma said.
The two UN referendums refer to a DPP-backed referendum on joining the UN using the name "Taiwan" and a KMT-initiated referendum on "rejoining" the UN using the name "Republic of China" (ROC) or any other "practical" title that would uphold the nation's dignity.
KMT caucus whip Lin Yi-shih (林益世) yesterday seconded Ma's remarks and said the caucus would not initiate a third referendum bid in the legislature when it starts a new session on Friday.
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