Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

NO NEED FOR TAIWAN TO DECLARE INDEPENDENCE: PREMIER

ROC Central News Agency

2005-03-04 22:46:42

    Taipei, March 4 (CNA) Since the ruling Democratic Progressive Party passed a resolution regarding Taiwan's future in 1999 when it was still an opposition party, there has been a consensus among party members that the Republic of China is already an independent and sovereign state and that it is not necessary to declare independence from any country, Premier Frank Hsieh said Friday.

    Hsieh made the comment while answering questions during a legislative interpellation session. He also said that the conclusion of a meeting between President Chen Shui-bian and opposition People First Party Chairman James Soong does not contravene the 1999 resolution. On the contrary, it met the resolution's spirit, he claimed.

    The resolution, proposed by Chen in 1999, states that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country and that any change in the status quo must be decided by all the residents of Taiwan by means of a plebiscite.

    Hsieh noted that both Chen and Soong have agreed that any change in Taiwan's status quo has to be decided by the people of Taiwan.

(By Elizabeth Hsu)

ENDITEM/J