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LAWMAKERS CRITICIZE U.S. FOR OPPOSING PLAN TO HOLD U.N. REFERENDUM

ROC Central News Agency

2007-06-20 13:47:10

Taipei, June 20 (CNA) Lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Wednesday criticized the United States for being "overbearing" in its opposition to Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum on the country's bid to join the United Nations.

    They made the remarks one day after a U.S. State Department official said that "the United States opposes any initiative that appears designed to change Taiwan's status unilaterally. This would include a referendum on whether to apply to the United Nations under the name of 'Taiwan.'"

    Wang Tuoh, a major DPP caucus whip in the Legislative Yuan, said that Taiwan has followed democratic procedures to plan the referendum for the people to express their views. "The United States has no reason to object to it," Wang said, criticizing the United States for being "overbearing.'

    Noting that U.S. spokesman Sean McCormack said that such a referendum "would increase tensions in the Taiwan Strait," Wang said that cross-strait tensions have existed for a long time. "China has deployed around one thousand missiles against Taiwan," Wang said, asking if this is not creating cross-strait tensions. "The United States is silent on the deployment, but is stern toward Taiwan," he said.

    DPP Legislator Wang Shu-huei also said that "the United States cannot force Taiwan to deny its sovereignty. Whether the United States supports it or not, the DPP caucus will support a referendum on the country's bid to join the United Nations in the name of Taiwan." (By Lilian Wu)

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