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CHEN CALLS FOR CROSS-STRAIT MUTUAL TRUST MECHANISM

Central News Agency

2005-05-02 12:05:21

    Majuro, the Marshall Islands, May 2 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian on Monday called for the establishment of a military and security mutual trust mechanism across the Taiwan Strait to help defuse cross-strait tensions.

    Chen, who arrived in the South Pacific nation Sunday for a two-day state visit, said in a speech at the Marshall Islands Parliament that he is open to all kinds of "engagements" across the Taiwan Strait, whether they be contacts, dialogue or negotiations, as long as the engagements are conducted based on the principles of democracy, peace and equality.

    Pointing out that Taiwan and mainland China have been separated for more than 100 years and that working out the cross-strait grudges is not an easy task which can be accomplished overnight, Chen called for the leaderships of the two sides to begin engaging and talking with each other in a step-by-step and orderly manner so that peace across the Taiwan Strait can be achieved eventually.

    Noting that Taiwan has done and will do its utmost to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait as well as in the Asia-Pacific region, Chen stressed that "only peace is the cause and motive behind humankind's cultural progress."

    Stressing that peace is the common goal of all the world's people in the new century, Chen said that wars can only bring about endless suffering and rifts that would represent a common loss and defeat for all of humankind.

    Chen said that over the past five decades, the Taiwan Strait has been one of the most sensitive regions in the world for reasons of history. This phenomenon is by no means something that the 23 million people of Taiwan like seeing, because the Taiwan people are peace-loving people who will do whatever they can to achieve peace and freedom.

    Chen lamented Beijing's recent passage of an anti-secession law which authorizes the use of "non-peaceful means" against Taiwan should the island move toward formal independence.

    To once again express Taiwan's sincerity in seeking peace across the Taiwan Strait, Chen said, he is willing to reiterate again that Taiwan's door is always open to China for constructive bilateral engagements and cross-strait talks.

    Chen called for an early establishment of a cross-strait military and security mutual trust mechanism to help defuse the cross-strait tensions and political impasse.

    Meanwhile, he offered his appreciation to the government of the Marshall Islands for its staunch support for Taiwan, saying that President Kessai Note was the first president among the ROC's diplomatic allies who wrote to him to express his support for Taiwan after Beijing passed the "ill-intentioned law" in March.

    He said that despite the fact that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands are located 5,600 kilometers apart, the two countries share many things in common, including similar cultures and languages among their aboriginal people.

    Taiwan had been a recipient of international aid in the 1950s and 60s after World War II, and through striving, the island has become one of the major economic powers in Asia, Chen said.

    Today, as a member of the global village, Chen said, Taiwan is willing to share its economic and democratic achievements with all other countries around the world.

(By Deborah Kuo)

ENDITEM/Li