Taipei, March, 18 (CNA) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian reiterated on Saturday said he will not promote a plebiscite to determine Taiwan's future if mainland China restrains itself from using force against Taiwan.
Speaking to reporters as he cast his ballot, he said: "We should try hard to tolerate the differences among people and heal the wounds made during the election," Chen said.
Chen restated his determination to maintain peace for both sides of the Taiwan Strait, despite reports that Chen's victory in the election would prompt mainland China to heighten war preparedness.
"The plebiscite is every citizen's right, though the people do not necessarily have to exercise the right. I will not put the state-to-state theory into Taiwan's Constitution or change the name of the country," Chen said.
Chen went on to say that if elected, he would invite mainland leader Jiang Zemin and other high-ranking officials to make a friendly visit to Taiwan, while he would also like to visit mainland China before he is sworn into office on May 22.
"The DPP does not have a Taiwan-independence platform, only a plebiscite platform, which precisely matches US President Bill Clinton's position," Chen noted. The US administration says Taiwan's future should be determined by Taiwan's people.
"My efforts made to normalize the relationship between the two sides of the strait will be seen and understood when I make my inauguration speech," Chen said, adding that he will form a supra-party group to discuss measures to handle the mainland China issue and to obtain a common opinion from the people regarding how to cope with the other side of the Taiwan Strait. (By Amanda Chang)
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