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MOFA TO CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE WITH U.S. ON 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM'

2003-12-18 19:44:54

    Taipei, Dec. 18 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday that it has published and distributed position papers on the "defensive referendum" and will continue to communicate with the United States on the issue.

    MOFA spokesman Richard Shih was responding to remarks by J. Adam Ereli, deputy U.S. State Department spokesman, in a briefing for foreign reporters in Washington that the United States still doesn't know if Taiwan will hold a referendum.

    Since President Chen Shui-bian has said repeatedly that the "defensive referendum" demanding that Beijing dismantle the missiles targeting Taiwan and renounce of the use of force will go ahead as planned on March 20, 2004, Shih was asked if this means that there is a communication problem between Taiwan and the United States.

    Shih said that the ministry has explained clearly to the international community about Taiwan's referendum and it will continue to communicate with the United States on the issue.

    Meanwhile, MOFA invited more than 40 foreign diplomats stationed in Taiwan, including representatives from the United States, Britain, Germany, France, the European Union and Singapore Wednesday to listen to what the ROC government's stance is concerning the referendum.

    Chiou I-jen, secretary-general of the Presidential Office, and other government officials also reported to them why the "defensive referendum" should be held on March 20.

(By Lilian Wu)

ENDITEM/mw