KMT CHAIRMAN VOWS TO PUSH FOR CROSS-STRAIT ARMAMENT CONTROL TALKS
2003-12-18 16:54:12
Taipei, Dec. 18 (CNA) Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan, who is also the "pan-blue alliance's" standard-bearer for the 2004 presidential election, said Thursday that if he wins the presidency, he will push for cross-Taiwan Strait armament control talks.
Lien made the remarks while meeting with U.S. Congressman Dan Burton, who arrived in Taipei last Tuesday for a goodwill visit.
Stressing that the "pan-blue alliance" of the KMT and the People First Party (PFP) cannot accept mainland China's deployment of hundreds of ballistic missiles along its southeastern coast pointed at Taiwan, Lien said that if elected, he would demand mainland China publicly renounce the use of force against Taiwan and conduct armament control talks with Taiwan.
Lien said mainland China's missile deployment has hurt Taiwan people's feelings and would never contribute to cross-strait rapprochement.
He further said the top leaders of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should refrain from provocative rhetoric and actions because such moves will only hinder cross-strait detente.
Lien also told Burton that Taiwan treasures its long friendship and relations with the United States, adding that the "pan-blue alliance" does not like to see any setbacks in Taiwan-U.S. relations.
(By Sofia Wu)
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