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CHINESE PREMIER FEARS IMPACT OF TAIWAN REFERENDUM ON MAINLAND: VP LU

2003-12-14 16:09:40

    Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) Mainland Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's opposition to Taiwan's referendum plan is because the Beijing regime is afraid that such a democratic event could have a profound impact on its power base, Vice President Annette Lu said Sunday.

    Lu made the remarks at a campaign rally held in northern Taoyuan County, where she once served as magistrate. The ticket of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) formed by President Chen Shui-bian and Lu was formally ratified by the party congress a day earlier to compete in the next presidential election set for March 20, 2004 for a second term.

    Saying that the purpose of Chen's idea of holding a "defensive referendum" on election day is to drum up international support to ask Beijing remove its missiles aimed at Taiwan, Lu added that Wen's opposition to Taiwan's planned referendum, made public during a meeting last week with U. S. President George W. Bush at the White House, is a result of Beijing's inability to prevent Taiwan from holding the vote.

    Beijing is afraid of Taiwan's holding a referendum because it fears that such a democratic practice will create leverage and cause a split from mainland China in areas such as Hong Kong, Macau and Xingjiang, the vice president said.

    Lu wondered why the U.S. president sent 300,000 troops to destroy the weapons of mass destruction allegedly amassed by Iraq while ignoring Taiwan's desire for peace when the island is targeted by 496 missiles deployed by Beijing.

    Bush's rebuke to President Chen's referendum plan has provoked criticism from the U. S. political sector and the general public, Lu stressed, adding that Taiwan will continue to make its stance clear in this regard to have the international community be fully aware of Beijing's intention to use force against Taiwan.

    The president has done the right thing in initiating the "defensive referendum" plan to protect Taiwan's status quo, she pointed out.

(By Flor Wang)

ENDITEM/mw