DATE=2/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN - ELECTION (L-ONLY) CQ
NUMBER=2-258763
BYLINE=PURNELL MURDOCK
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Concerns are mounting in Taiwan that China may
try to intimidate the island province before its March
18th presidential election. V-O-A's Purnell Murdock
reports a senior advisor to Taiwanese President Lee
Teng-hui says any act of intimidation by China will be
a serious mistake.
TEXT: Taiwanese officials say their concern is that
Beijing may flex its military muscle as it did during
Taiwan's 1996 election. Then, China launched missiles
in the Taiwan Strait to pressure Taipei against using
the election to declare independence from the
mainland.
Speaking at a news conference in Washington, John
Chang, a senior advisor to Taiwanese President Lee
Teng-hui, said similar tactics would hamper re-
unification efforts.
// CHANG ACT //
If Mainland China tries again to threaten people
in Taiwan during the presidential election... it
will be a terrible blunder because any act of
intimidation by the use of force against Taiwan
will be counterproductive.
// END ACT //
Relations between China and Taiwan have been strained
since last July when President Lee called for special
state-to-state relations with the mainland. Beijing
considers Taiwan a renegade province and has
repeatedly threatened to invade the island if it
declares independence.
Beijing says it is concerned some candidates in the
presidential race may alter relations with China and
declare independence, once in power.
Senior presidential advisor John Chang says the next
president must strengthen relations with Beijing.
// CHANG ACT //
The ability to develop a win-win relationship
with the P-R-C (People's Republic of China) will
be regarded as one of the most important
personal qualities that the candidate should
possess.
// END ACT //
Five candidates are competing in the March 18th
presidential poll. Among them are Vice president Lien
Chan, former Taiwan provincial governor James Soong,
and pro-independence candidate Chen Shui-bian.
Incumbent President Lee Teng-hui has decided to retire
when his term expires this year. (SIGNED)
NEB/PM/ENE/RAE/gm
02-Feb-2000 19:15 PM EDT (03-Feb-2000 0015 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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