President Chen Shui-bian (
"Though the third reading of the referendum law (
"According to [the 17th] article -- the president is entitled to initiate a referendum on national security issues whenever the country is faced by an external threat that could interfere with national sovereignty," Chen said. "Therefore, I will ask the government to hold a referendum alongside the presidential election."
As head of state, Chen said he had the obligation and duty to secure and maintain the country's sovereignty, and therefore he must exercise a national referendum on March 20 at the same time as the election to defend Taiwan's sovereignty and safety.
Chen made the remarks when visiting a temple in Taipei yesterday morning. He said he believed that the gods will bless the DPP and assist it in its bid to hold a referendum.
The DPP and the Cabinet severely criticized the watered-down version of the referendum law that was passed by the legislature.
However, Chen said the passage of the law was a success for the DPP as it had realized a long-term goal of the party. He said the success should be attributed to the hard work of many DPP members over many years.
"The passage of the referendum on Thursday night was a historic moment," Chen said. "As a minority party at the Legislative Yuan, we can force the majority to follow our step and, in turn, realize our own goals. Such a achievement can be regarded as a great breakthrough for the DPP."
However, he said he was not satisfied with the content of the law because some articles advocated by the pan-blues had damaged the spirit of direct democracy and even violated the Constitution."
"The public now blames the KMT-PFP alliance for restricting the referendum law and depriving the people of their basic rights," the president said.
"It is impossible to achieve democratic reform in one step, but now we have taken our first step toward a referendum, I pledge that those [politicians] who are anti-democracy and anti-reform will be wiped out soon," he said.
In other news, Chen announced last night that US President George W. Bush had confirmed in an official letter that he supported Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization (WHO).
"In a letter dated Nov. 18, 2003, President Bush expressed that he supported membership for Taiwan in the WHO. This is a historical first," said Chen, speaking at a dinner banquet held by the Medical Professionals Alliance and a campaign support group.
The letter was in response to Chen's letter to Bush delivered by Academic Sinica Presdient Lee Yuan-tseh (
Chen also criticized Lien's to call at rally in Taoyuan for ethnic reconciliation.
"What ethnic problems do we have in Taiwan? The real problem is with people who do not stand with Taiwan," Chen said.
Accusing Lien of thinking only of his personal advantage, Chen asked, "What right has he to talk about reconciliation?"
See story Lee condemns Referendum Law,
BAIL APPEALS: The former vice premier was ordered to be held incommunicado despite twice being granted bail and paying a total of NT$12 million in bond The Taoyuan District Court yesterday ordered the detention of former vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), who is being investigated for alleged corruption while serving as Taoyuan mayor from December 2014 to December 2022, and that he be held incommunicado. The court made the ruling during a bail hearing after prosecutors appealed its bail ruling twice. Cheng on Saturday was released after posting bail of NT$5 million (US$153,818). However, after prosecutors lodged an appeal, the High Court on Monday revoked the original ruling and ordered the Taoyuan District Court to hold another bail hearing. On Tuesday, the district court granted bail to Cheng a second
The Thai government on Friday announced that Taiwanese would be allowed to stay in the country for up to 60 days per entry, under the Southeast Asian country’s visa-free program starting from today. Taiwan is among 93 countries included in the Thai visa-waiver program, which has been expanded from 57 countries, with the visa-exempt entry extended from 30 to 60 days. After taking office last year, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to grant more visa waivers to foreign travelers as part of efforts to stimulate tourism. The expanded visa-waiver program was on Friday signed by Thai Minister of the Interior Anutin
PEACE AND SECURITY: China’s military ambitions present ‘the greatest strategic challenge to Japan and the world, Japan’s annual defense white paper said yesterday Japan yesterday warned that China risked escalating tensions with Taiwan with an increase in military exercises that appeared aimed in part at readying Beijing’s forces for a possible invasion. Japan’s annual assessment of security threats, including those posed by China, North Korea and Russia, comes as Taiwan closely monitors Chinese People’s Liberation Army air and sea exercises, including one with the Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean. The drills are the latest in a series including maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait last year that a senior US general said would be key to any invasion. “Because of that increase in military activity,
HAN KUANG: The exercises, which are to run from July 22 to 26, will feature unscripted war games and a decentralized command and control structure, military officers said The armed forces would for the first time test new rules of engagement (ROE) at this month’s annual Han Kuang exercises, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday. The exercises, which are to run from July 22 to 26, will feature unscripted war games, and a decentralized command and control structure, military officers told a news conference in Taipei. ROE cards would be issued to select combat troops to test their ability to function without tight control, they said. The most recent edition of the rules was published last year, they said. One of the cards’ two templates identifies enemy targets that soldiers