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NO POWERFUL NATIONAL DEFENSE, NO STABLE CROSS-STRAIT TIES: DPP CAUCUS

ROC Central News Agency

2005-12-24 19:42:27

    Taipei, Dec. 24 (CNA) Taiwan must have a credible defense or there will be no stability in cross-Taiwan Strait ties, a high-ranking ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) official said Saturday.

    Chen Chin-jun, a caucus leader of DPP in the legislature, made the remarks after the opposition "pan-blue alliance" of the Kuomintang (KMT) and People First Party (PFP) on Friday again blocked the screening of the arms procurement package from the United States, which was put on the legislative agenda several days ago.

    The arms procurement package, which has been prevented from even being discussed in the legislature 42 times by the "pan-blue alliance, " includes eight diesel-electric submarines, a squadron of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft and six Patriot PAC III anti-missile batteries.

    Although the pursuit of stable cross-strait ties has been the DPP's long-term goal, the relations between the two sides have not been largely controlled by Taiwan, Chen noted.

    For example, Chen added, Taiwan's proposal of giving marine transportation precedence over air links between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, with cargo shipments coming before passenger transportation, has not received a positive response from China, not to mention the numerous Chinese overtures that have been aimed at downgrading Taiwan to a Chinese local government.

    With China's enactment of the Anti-Secession Law earlier this year, which legalizes an attack on Taiwan should the island seek formal independence, Chen said it indicated a certain level of hostility in China toward Taiwan.

    Under the circumstances, if Taiwan does not maintain a powerful deterrent force, there will be no stable cross-strait ties, Chen stressed, urging the "pan-blue alliance" to support the arms purchase bill.

    Meanwhile, PFP Chairman James Soong and Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, who is a KMT member, met earlier in the day to discuss politics, including the arms procurement bill and the possible formation of a joint Cabinet.

    Both Soong and Wang believe maintaining stable cross-strait relations is the key issue that affects Taiwan's political stability and its economic development.

(By Elisa Kao)

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