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CHEN'S REMARKS TANTAMOUNT TO `BANKRUPTCY OF COMMITMENTS': SOONG

Aug 03, 2002 16:11 UTC+0800

Taipei, Aug. 3 (CNA) Ridiculing President Chen's remarks made Saturday that Taiwan and mainland China are "one country on either side of the strait," opposition People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong said Chen's statement is tantamount to a bankruptcy of his commitments to the people.

Soong said that Chen's remarks, which also stressed the urgency for referendum legislation, indicated that the president has also reneged on his promise of upholding the Republic of China Constitution made during his inaugural speech in May 2000.

President Chen said in a speech via video link to the opening of the annual meeting of the World Federation of Taiwanese Associations being held in Tokyo that only the 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to decide the island's fate, necessitating the passage of referendum legislation to allow them to vote on the island's own future.

Criticizing Chen for reneging on his "five noes" promise which he made upon his swearing-in as president, Soong said Chen is now turning the "five noes" into "nothing" regarding what he is offering to the people of Taiwan.

The "five noes" voiced by Chen are: no declaration of independence so long as Beijing does not use force against the island, no change to the official name of the Republic of China, no introduction of the "state-to-state cross-strait relations" concept into the ROC Constitution, no referendum on Taiwan independence or unification with mainland China, and no abrogation of the National Unification Guidelines.

Meanwhile, Shen Chih-hui, PFP party whip in the Legislative Yuan, stressed that the PFP is steadfastly opposed to Taiwan independence and that it will use all means it can to prevent the passage of any referendum legislation.

Shen urged the president not to gamble with the well-being of the 23 million people of Taiwan by making irresponsible and "moody" remarks.

She criticized Chen as being tremendously wavering in his stance on cross-strait relations over the past two years since assuming the presidency.

Criticizing Chen for constantly shifting between his "five noes" and his espousal of the Democratic Progressive Party resolution on Taiwan's future passed in 1999 as being the supreme guideline in policy toward mainland China, Shen said Chen has left the people, including herself, with no clue as to what he is up to.

(By Deborah Kuo)