DATE=3/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN - CHINA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260459
BYLINE=DERRICK MELHERON
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The party of Taiwan's newly elected president,
Chen Shui-bian is meeting Wednesday to discuss
dropping its long-standing support for independence
from China. Derrick McEhleron reports from Taipei, Mr.
Chen is also continuing to make conciliatory gestures
toward Beijing.
TEXT: Leaders of the Democratic Progressive Party are
considering whether to drop the
pro-independence stance which has provoked threats of
an invasion from China. Beijing officials have also
said they will not negotiate with anyone who advocates
independence from the mainland. If the D-P-P leaders
approve, the issue of changing the long-held stance
will be debated at a party congress in May.
Since winning Taiwan's presidential election on
Saturday, Mr. Chen has downplayed his party's pro-
independence position. He has also proposed open
talks with Chinese leaders with no pre-conditions.
The Nationalist-controlled legislature, meanwhile, on
Tuesday decided to ease a 50-year ban on transport and
travel links with China, as another means to reduce
tensions.
On Wednesday, Mr. Chen continued to make goodwill
gestures toward China.
In an interview published in the Los Angeles Times
newspaper, Mr. Chen said he hopes to see China enter
the World Trade Organization and have normal trade
relations with the United States.
Taiwan has an economic, as well as political interest
in U-S-China trade relations, because many Taiwanese
companies manufacture goods in China and export them
directly to the United States.
Mr. Chen also said peace with China will be his "top
priority," when President.
Mr. Chen's efforts to ease cross-strait tensions, as
well as China's moderate reaction to his election, are
helping Taiwan's battered stock market.
Market analysts say signs of lower tensions are
calming investors worries and have ended the recent
bouts of heavy profit taking.
For the last two days the Taiex has even suprised some
analysts by making modest gains.
Today the Taiwan exchange closed up 65 points to end
trade at 9069.
/// REST OPT ///
Meanwhile, Taiwan's current President, Lee Teng-hui,
is under mounting pressure to resign after the
Nationalist party's humiliating defeat in Saturday's
Presidential election. Increasing numbers of his
party's lawmakers are demanding that President Lee
step down as Taiwan1s President and give up his
position as chairman of the party.
At a legislative meeting held on Wednesday, a number
of prominent Nationalist party members openly stated
President Lee should either step down now or at least
give up his seat as party
chairman when President elect, Chen Shui-bian
officially takes office on May 20th.
The appeals came as similar demands were being voiced
for the fifth straight day by demonstrators camped
outside the party headquarters in Taipei.
President Lee has offered to resign from the party at
a convention this September. (signed)
NEB/DM/FC
22-Mar-2000 03:04 AM EDT (22-Mar-2000 0804 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
