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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neocon who wrote (15510)	3/16/2000 3:51:00 PM
From: jlallen	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769667

LOL! Imagine that. The situation in Taiwan is beginning to become worrisome. Have you seen this: China's Premier Threatens Taiwan Voters UPI March 16, 2000 Taiwanese Vice President Lien Chan, the ruling Nationalist Party's presidential candidate, on Thursday urged Chinese leaders to take a "sit-and-talk" attitude instead of a "wait-and-see" posture in dealing relations and settling disputes between Taiwan and China. It was the first official reaction by Taiwan authorities regarding Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's remarks Wednesday cautioning the people in Taiwan not to vote for pro-Taiwan independence presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian for president in Saturday's elections. Lien's "wait-and-see" remark refers to Zhu's reply to a press query whether China would repeat its missile firing exercise of 1996 when Taiwan had its first presidential elections. Zhu simply said: "For that query, let's just wait and see." Zhu declared that China would not tolerate Taiwan's independence that separates the island from the Chinese territory. China reportedly has not ruled out the possibility of using military force to take Taiwan should the island decide to declare independence. Zhu's statement was seen in Taiwan as the sternest of warnings on the Taiwan-China issue. Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Lien said China "has no rights to intervene the presidential elections in Taiwan." He called the elections an internal affair, of which other countries, including China, are not entitled to interfere or should try to influence. "The relations between the two sides across the Taiwan Strait, at present or in the future, should belong to that for a sit-and-talk relationship, rather than that of a wait-and-see formula," Lien said, urging the Beijing authorities to temporarily set aside the problem of one-China policy, but take into consideration the peaceful talks for settling bilateral disputes and differences instead. Referring to China's rejection of Chen Shui-bian's Taiwan independence plank in his campaign platform, Lien said such a thing was an example of an internal affair, by saying that "if we have a naughty boy at home, it is our duty as the parents to correct and teach him. There is no need for others to educate the naughty boy on our behalf." Lien asked the Beijing leadership to consider his campaign's 10-point proposals, including a suggestion to set up a peace zone in the Taiwan Strait, aiming at promoting bilateral economic cooperation. He said, "The Chinese should help the Chinese. The Chinese should not fight one another." Defense Minister Tang Fei told reporters late Thursday that the problem of Taiwan-China issue should be solved through peaceful political settlement, and not through military means." He disclosed that the Ministry of National Defense has instructed the armed forces in Taiwan to be on full alert against a possible military confrontation with China. However, Tang said there has been no indication of a large-scale military movement on mainland China. "Although we do not want to see any outbreak of war, but to defend our territory, we do not fear to fight," the defense head noted. Former Taiwan Gov. James Soong, an independent candidate for president, said the people of Taiwan are not intimidated by military threats, adding that if and when he is elected he will conduct direct and constructive talks with the Chinese leaders to ease the tensions in the area. He called on the voters not to choose his opposition rival contender Chen Shui-bian for fear of inciting tensions and military threats to Taiwan. In an apparent response to Zhu's message, Chen Shui-bian announced that the people in Taiwan have their own rights to decide their fates and national destiny, regardless of China's current military threats. He expressed hopes that "there will be a bright and peaceful moon" over the strait, should China decide to participate in peace talks with Taiwan. Reports from China indicated that Tang Shubei, China's No. 2 negotiator with Taiwan, appealed that both sides should live up to the agreement and consensus reached in 1992 for the one-China principle. Taiwan accuses China of downgrading it as a local government, while China becomes the central government under the one-China formula laid down by the Beijing interpretation. On Wednesday, Chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council Su Chi refuted that China was not in any position to meddle with Taiwan's elections, because Taiwan was to choose its president, neither a governor nor a chief under China's special administrative region. Su showed doubts that opposition Democratic Progressive Party candidate Chen Shui-bian and 1986 Nobel Prize Chemistry laureate Lee Yuan-tseh are experienced in negotiating with mainland delegates. Lee recently stepped out to support Chen. Lee was a close aide of outgoing President Lee Teng-hui, and the Nobel Prize winner's endorsement for Chen drew speculation that Lee Teng-hui might switch his support to Chen at the expense of Lien. Government officials dismissed the suggestion. Taiwan voters will go to polls Saturday. More than 70 percent of the 15 million eligible voters are expected to cast ballots.