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East Asia
Taiwan: Chen undeterred by US fears over N-power vote
2003-06-23
TAIPEI - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian yesterday pledged to press for Taiwan's right to hold an unprecedented referendum on nuclear power policy, despite US warnings that doing so could escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Maybe China can help them go nuclear?
'Direct democratic rights, including referenda, are part of our fundamental human rights,' Mr Chen said in a speech in Kaohsiung. 'I believe those rights could never be stripped or opposed by any individual, government or country,' he added. Concerns were raised following press reports that Mr Chen proposed the plebiscite to coincide with next March's presidential elections. He also wants to seek public opinion on efforts to rejoin the World Health Organisation (WHO), which ousted Taipei in 1972 under Beijing's pressure. Mr Chen's remarks came after Mr Douglas Paal, director of the American Institute in Taiwan - the de facto US embassy here - said Washington opposed the referenda. 'They (the US) are concerned about this because they fear it will cause unrest and tensions in the Taiwan Strait,' presidential secretary-general Chiou I-jen said, referring to Taiwan's rival mainland China.
"Well, what the hell's here now?"
'The stance of the government is very clear: neither the issue of nuclear policy nor WHO membership has anything to do with reunification or independence,' he said. Nonetheless, the United Daily News said Beijing had been rattled by the proposal. It claimed China had requested Washington to take the move seriously, suggesting referenda would be part of a 'gradual effort to move towards independence'. Taiwan's opposition parties also urged the US against meddling. 'Even though Taiwan's timing of the referendum and the kind of issues discussed should be considered discreetly, Taiwanese citizens still have the right to express their opinions on public policies,' People First Party chairman James Soong was quoted by the Taipei Times as saying. Kuomintang chairman Lien Chan said the right to hold a referendum was a basic right.
A Taiwan with nukes would push China over the edge, and IAEA and other agencies can hardly ignore a Taiwan with reactors, like they do in the UN general assembly, WHO, etc
Posted by:Frank G

#1  Who gives a tuppence about what the PRC thinks. Taiwan has the right to arm itself, and probably has nuclear weapons. What sane nation with the PRC as a neighbor wouldn't? If Taiwan depends on US guarantees for their independence they would do well to remember American resolve in Vietnam when Hanoi sent 20 divisions and 500 tanks south while the Dems cut all aid. If the PRC wants a solution to its population problem it will continue to threaten Taiwans survivial as a nation.
Posted by: TJ Jackson   6/24/03 2:33:08 AM  

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