President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday that the so-called "1992 consensus" does not exist and that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should stop pursuing his "Chinese dream" and drop the word "Chinese" from his party's name.
Chen made the remarks to reporters before a luncheon with Tainan community leaders.
The "1992 consensus" refers to an alleged agreement reached between Chinese and Taiwanese negotiators during talks in Hong Kong in 1992 to the effect that there is "one China, with each side having its own interpretation."
KMT Legislator Su Chi (蘇起) said in March last year he had made up the term "1992 consensus" before the transfer of power in 2000.
Chen said a "1992 consensus" does not exist, as Koo Chen-fu (辜政府) -- Taiwan's representative at the 1992 talks -- said so in a book.
Ma should stop pretending that the consensus exists, Chen said, before criticizing the KMT for canceling a plan to delete the consensus from an internal document over pressure from deep-blue supporters.
Chen called on Ma to "have balls and be brave," adding that otherwise he would not be able to resist Chinese military threats if elected president.
Chen also said that Ma lacks a political ideology of his own.
Ma opposed the lifting of martial law, the abolition of Article 100 of the Criminal Code and was in favor of indirect presidential elections at a time when activists were pushing for presidential elections by popular vote, Chen said.
Article 100 of the Criminal Code allowed people suspected of plotting to overthrow the KMT regime to be charged with sedition.
Chen said the "ultimate unification" supported by Ma is dangerous and that his bid to "return to the UN" using the name "Republic of China" is impossible.
"Ma is against democracy, against human rights, against reform and against Taiwan as a sovereign state and has always chosen to stand on the wrong side of history," Chen said.
Typhoon Usagi yesterday had weakened into a tropical storm, but a land warning issued by the Central Weather Administration (CWA) was still in effect in four areas in southern Taiwan. As of 5pm yesterday, Tropical Storm Usagi was over waters 120km south-southwest of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), the southernmost tip of Taiwan proper, and was moving north at 9kph, CWA data showed. The storm was expected to veer northeast later yesterday. It had maximum sustained winds of 101kph, with gusts of up to 126kph, the data showed. The CWA urged residents of Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, Taitung County and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春) to remain alert to
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