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CHINA'S 'NO INDEPENDENCE, NO USE OF FORCE' STATEMENT A MERE SLOGAN

ROC Central News Agency

2006-03-22 17:20:01

    Taipei, March 22 (CNA) China's statement that if Taiwan does not pursue independence, it will not use force to settle its disputes with Taiwan "is nothing but a slogan," National Security Bureau chief Hsueh Shih-min claimed Wednesday.

    Hsueh made his remarks in reply to lawmakers' questions at the Legislative Yuan's National Defense Committee.

    He claimed to legislators that without incorporating the statement into law or without international supervision, China will change its position on Taiwan.

    Hsueh reminded the lawmakers that China does not need any reason to invade Taiwan. "They can do it whenever they are ready. This is why we have been on guard all the time," he added.

    Legislator Lin Chin-hsing of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) claimed that Taiwan must declare independence and that the people of the country must fight.

    Hsueh answered that it is not necessary to have 23 million people shed their blood for a mere sentence like that and that it is not necessary to use military means for a political problem.

    Opposition People First Party (PFP) lawmaker Fu Kun-chi asked Hsueh if President Chen Shui-bian's plan to write a new Constitution for Taiwan will trigger a war across the Taiwan Strait.

    Hsueh refused to answer but when pressed further, acknowledged that China has threatened to attack Taiwan if it declares independence, but added that "as of now, President Chen has not said he will introduce a new Constitution that will be seen as indicating Taiwan's formal independence."

    Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Liao Wan-ju asked Hsueh what kind of risks Chen will create for Taiwan if he changes Taiwan's official title, territory and sovereignty. Hsueh said Chen will not do those things because he has promised to change the Constitution in accordance with legal procedures.

    The president has talked about changing the Constitution but he has not talked about changing the national title and flag. "If the president does change the Constitution, he will take into account the security of the country's 23 million people," said Hsueh.

(By S.C. Chang)

ENDITEM/J