• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

PRESIDENT CHEN REAFFIRMS DETERMINATION TO HOLD 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM'

2003-11-30 21:08:04

Kaohsiung, Nov. 30 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed his determination Sunday to hold a "defensive referendum" on the day of the next presidential election on March 20, 2004.

Addressing a rally marking the establishment of a new association in the southern county of Kaohsiung supporting his re-election, Chen said mainland China has deployed 496 guided missiles within areas 640 kilometers off Taiwan and has constantly conducted military exercises targeting at Taiwan. "Such moves are progressive external threats to our national security. In order to safeguard our national security and sovereignty, we'll hold a 'defensive referendum' on the upcoming presidential election day," Chen told his core-supporters.

Article 17 of the referendum law passed by the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan Thursday empowers the president to initiate a referendum on national security issues should the nation come under the threat of external invasion. The threat which could trigger such an action, dubbed a "defensive referendum, " is tacitly seen as coming from mainland China.

Chen stressed that the planned "defensive referendum" has nothing to do with either an "independence vs. unification" vote or the "four noes plus one" pledge outlined in his inaugural speech. "The 'defensive referendum' is aimed at safeguarding our nation, people, sovereignty and security. As the president of Taiwan, my most important mission is to protect Taiwan from becoming a special administrative region under Beijing's jurisdiction like Hong Kong," Chen said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Annette Lu said at a pro-Chen campaign rally in the central city of Taichung that the upcoming presidential election will mark a watershed of Taiwan's destiny.

Lu urged voters to vote for "expectations" and not to opt for "the past" which refers to the Lien-Soong ticket recommended by the opposition "pan-blue alliance" of the Kuomintang (KMT) and the People First Party (PFP). KMT Chairman Lien Chan will team up with PFP Chairman James Soong to challenge Chen's re-election bid. Lien ended a distant third in the 2000 presidential election while Soong narrowly lost to Chen in that race.

Noting that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party has vision and firm determination to carry out sweeping reforms and consolidate Taiwan's young democracy, Lu said voters should give President Chen another four years to deliver on these promises.

(By Sofia Wu)

enditem