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DPP presidential candidate promises no independence referendum

ROC Central News Agency

2007-07-25 21:45:15

    Washington, July 25 (CNA) Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh expressed hope Tuesday that his promise not to hold a referendum on Taiwan independence will ease the U.S. government's concern over tension or military conflict across the Taiwan Strait.

    Hsieh explained his hope during a meeting with Taiwanese journalists covering his July 20-30 U.S. visit. He made the promise earlier that day in response to U.S. media inquiries after delivering a speech to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

    Hsieh said it is not necessary to hold such a referendum or promote independence movements because Taiwan is already a "country with independent sovereignty."

    Nevertheless, he said he favors the idea of holding a referendum on Taiwan's bid for its membership in the United Nations under the name of Taiwan, saying such a proposal would reinforce the Taiwan people's national identity.

    Hsieh, heading a group of 14 DPP legislators, visited the Jefferson Memorial that day, which was build in 1943 in tribute to Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president and one of the primary authors of the Declaration of Independence.

    The former premier chanted one paragraph of the declaration and expressed his admiration for America's spirit of pursuing freedom and happiness.

    Hsieh said a country exists no matter how other nations deny its existence. However, it is tough for the country to survive in the international community without other nations' recognition. This is the straits in which Taiwan is now situated, he said.

    Hsieh urged the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to try to seek consensus in terms of their mutual relations.

    Hsieh flew to New York from Taipei Friday to begin the 10-day tour aimed at seeking Taiwanese expatriates' support for his bid for the presidency and to meet with U.S. officials. Besides the Big Apple and Washington, the trip will also take Hsieh to Detroit and Los Angeles before he returns to Taipei July 30.

(By Huang Juei-hung and Elizabeth Hsu)

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