• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

PRESIDENT CALLS FOR WORLD ATTENTION TO BEIJING'S ANTI-SECESSION LAW

Central News Agency

2005-02-28 19:53:40

    Taipei, Feb. 28 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged the international community Monday to show concern over mainland China's proposed anti-secession legislation that would provide a legal basis for Beijing to attack Taiwan.

    Chen made the appeal while attending a ceremony to mark the 58th anniversary of the 228 Incident, which refers to the events that led to a brutal crackdown by Kuomintang (KMT) government troops against the local population, particularly the intelligentsia, Feb. 28, 1947. "The people of Taiwan have deep conviction and commitment to peace and human rights. We are willing to protect the peaceful and stable Taiwan Strait status quo in a sincere and responsible manner," Chen said.

    While the smooth conclusion of the recent Chinese New Year cross-strait charter flights provided a glimmer of hope for permanent cross-strait peace and opened up a window of opportunity for constructive cross-strait interaction and dialogue, Chen said the people of Taiwan still live in the shadow of the threat of the 700-plus ballistic missiles deployed by mainland China against the island. Worse still, Chen said, the mainland's so-called anti-secession law, expected to be enacted in March, has dropped a time bomb into cross-strait relations and Asia-Pacific regional peace, security and stability.

    Noting that major countries around the world, including the United States, Japan and the European Union, have traditionally been concerned about the cross-strait situation and support Taiwan's pursuit of democracy, Chen said he keenly hopes the international community will pay equal heed to the mainland's planned anti-secession legislation.

    As part of the 228 Incident commemoration at the 228 Peace Park in downtown Taipei, Chen tolled a bell to symbolize peace and called for an end to Taiwan's ethnic divisions. "This is a painful day for the Taiwan people, " Chen said after ringing the large bronze bell near a monument dedicated to the victims of the massacre. "Our people and future leaders should learn from the incident and remember that real peace is based on full communication, understanding, respect and reconciliation," he said. Throughout Taiwan, people gathered at memorial parks to mourn those killed in the 228 Incident and vigils were planned in several cities for later that day.

    The bloody crackdown took place in a turbulent period of Taiwan's history. In 1945, the mainland China-based Kuomintang (KMT) government reclaimed Taiwan, which had been a Japanese colony. But the KMT's rule was brutal and corrupt, leading to a massive protest Feb. 28, 1947, by the native Taiwanese. More troops were sent from the mainland to crush the demonstrations and in the following months, soldiers arrested and killed thousands of people they claimed were communists or saboteurs trying to overthrow the government.

(By Sofia Wu)

ENDITEM/J