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U.S. NEEDS FURTHER EXPLANATION ON REFERENDUM: ROC FOREIGN MINISTER

2003-12-23 16:20:51

    Taipei, Dec. 23 (CNA) Republic of China Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien reiterated Tuesday that Taiwan and the United States have very smooth communication channels but admitted that there are difficulties getting the message across regarding referendum issues.

    The minister made the remarks while meeting the media at a year-end news conference.

    In response to Washington's concerns over Taiwan's initiative to hold what it calls a "defensive referendum, " Chien emphasized that the communication channels between the two countries are very smooth.

    However, he said that differences exist between Taiwan and the United States regarding the referendum, admitting that there are some "communication difficulties."

    Noting that Taiwan considers that holding the referendum would better the island's democratization, the minister said that the United States on the other hand sees the referendum with a consideration of regional security, peace and stability, and this difference has caused "a discrepancy of opinion."

    Chien further said that his ministry will continue to communicate with the United States and that he believes that Washington will eventually understand Taiwan's referendum position in the future.

    Indicating that the U.S. State Department has divided Taiwan's referendum into three categories -- independence and unification, public policy and political meaning but without substantial results -- and has expressed clearly its positions on such referendums, the minister said that what the ministry should do is to better communicate with the United States on the goal of Taiwan's "defensive referendum" and the actions the island will take in the future.

    As to the names of the referendum that have been raised by President Chen Shui-bian in the past few weeks -- from "defensive referendum" to "peace referendum, , Chien said that the goal of changing referendum names is to tell the international community and the United States that Taiwan's referendum is to strengthen regional stability and not to change the status quo.

(By P.C. Tang)

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