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TSU LAUNCHES LETTER CAMPAIGN CALLING FOR U.S. SUPPORT FOR REFERENDUM

2003-12-04 19:29:01

Taipei, Dec. 4 (CNA) The legislative caucus of the opposition Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) issued an open letter to U.S. President George W. Bush Thursday urging him to support Taiwan's holding of a referendum to resolve its sovereignty and status issues.

The pro-independence TSU, an ally of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) , also launched a campaign encouraging the people of Taiwan to send letters to Bush pushing him to support the "sovereignty referendum" proposal.

According to the TSU letter, holding a referendum on Taiwan's sovereignty and independent status is a move to demonstrate to the United States and the international community what the party claims is Taiwan's "mainstream public opinion and values."

The move is not only correct but also complies with the prevailing world trend, the letter claims.

It also urges Bush and his administration not to regard Taiwan as a troublemaker. Bush should respect and support the Taiwan people's right to "be the masters of Taiwan's destiny" and "let Taiwan be Taiwan of the world, not of China."

TSU legislative whip Lo Chih-ming said that because of Beijing's opposition, Taiwan has been unable to join the United Nations and many other international organizations. "The embargo seems to deprive Taiwan of its sovereign status," Lo said, adding that the TSU letter is aimed at letting Bush understand the Taiwan people's strong desire to be "masters of Taiwan's destiny."

The TSU noted that Bush's official e-mail address is "president@whitehouse.gov" and urged local citizens to support its "one person, one letter to Bush" campaign.

TSU Legislator Ho Min-hao said he hopes a "sovereignty plebiscite" can be held on the day of the March 20 presidential election next year to remind mainland China that its saber-rattling against Taiwan will be to no avail.

Noting that the United States is a beacon of democracy, Ho said the Bush administration should support Taiwan's holding of a "sovereignty plebiscite."

(By Sofia Wu)

ENDITEM/J