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U.N. bid referendum unrelated to independence: presidential aide

ROC Central News Agency

2007-12-07 14:59:29

    Taipei, Dec. 7 (CNA) The upcoming referendum on applying to join the United Nations under the name Taiwan will be a referendum rejecting unification with China, rather than one pursuing independence for Taiwan, a Presidential Office official said Friday.

    Lin Chia-lung, deputy secretary-general of the Presidential Office, said Taiwan refuses to be downgraded to the status of being a part of China and will continue to push for the referendum despite U.S. opposition.

    With 2.72 million people having signed the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's referendum petition, Lin said Taiwan expects 10 million people to take part in the referendum -- slated to be held alongside the March 22, 2008 presidential election -- and is confident that the referendum will pass.

    Lin made the remarks in response to a statement by Thomas Christensen, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, that by implying that the referendum will provide the Taiwan people with a chance to express their opinions on whether Taiwan should unify with China, President Chen Shui-bian is going against his promise not to promote a referendum on the unification versus independence issue during his term.

    Lin stressed that the referendum is part of Taiwan's democracy and is not to be decided by any foreign government officials. "This is an internal affair of Taiwan. We will listen to the reaction of our friends but will not waver in our determination to promote Taiwan's democracy," Lin said.

    He said Taiwan understands and respects Washington's position on the issue and will continue to communicate with the U.S. government.

    Also Friday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials reiterated that the U.N. bid referendum has not violated President Chen's "four noes" pledges and that the ministry will continue to communicate with the U.S. side to try to sort out their differences.

    The officials said China, which has adopted various measures targeting Taiwan in recent years, is the party that is attempting to change the cross-strait status quo.

(By Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM/Li