Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

NOTHING BEING RULED OUT ON COUNTERING ANTI-SECESSION LAW: PREMIER

Central News Agency

2005-03-01 14:19:54

    Taipei, March 1 (CNA) The government will not rule out any possibilities on countering Beijing's proposed anti-secession law targeting Taiwan, Premier Frank Shieh said Tuesday.

    Hsieh made the remarks while answering questions from Taiwan Solidarity Union lawmaker Ho Min-ho, who asked the premier whether the government would consider holding a defensive referendum to counter the anti-secession bill, which is expected to be enacted in the middle of this month.

    If mainland China enacts the law, it must be held accountable for the consequences, Hsieh said, adding that the law totally goes against Beijing's claims of respecting the people of Taiwan.

    He stressed that the government is firmly opposed to the anti-secession law and that it will strongly voice this opposition to the international community. He warned that complications arising from Beijing's anti-secession law scheme will aggravate the cross-strait situation.

    Regarding a government campaign to change the official titles of Taiwan's offices overseas and its state-run enterprises to distinguish them from those of mainland China, the premier said that the issue will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Relevant government authorities will devise a set of mechanisms to serve that end within two or three months, he added.

(By Flor Wang)

ENDITEM/Li