Posted on 03/07/2005 1:44:41 PM PST by Bald Eagle777
More than fifty-five thousand people attended a march organized by the Taiwan Solidarity Union in Kaohsiung yesterday to protest against the impending passage of an anti-secession law by China's rubber-stamp parliament.
Demonstrators urged China to accept that the self-ruled island is already an independent country.
In front of a large crowd cheering "I love you Uncle A-Hui," the Taiwan Solidarity Union's spiritual leader and ex-President, Lee Teng-hui (§õµn½÷), warned the public that now is the time to choose between slavery or freedom.
Part of the world, but not China
Lee told the assembled protesters, "The anti-secession law is aimed at clamping down on Taiwan and then annexing it. Taiwan has to be very careful in dealing with this very important issue."
"Taiwan is a part of the world. But it is definitely not part of China. None of the treaties since 1951 - the San Francisco Peace Treaty or the Treaty of Peace between Taiwan and Japan in 1952 mention that Taiwan was or is in any form relevant to China. They only state that Japan gave up Taiwan, the Penghu Islands, Kinmen and Matsu. Therefore, since Taiwan was not, and is not, part of China, Beijing doesn't have any reason to annex it. If China attacks Taiwan, it will become the world's public enemy because of its barbarian move," said the ex-president.
"Taiwan is a sovereign, democratic country. The anti-secession law is a provocation to Taiwan. Taiwan's public wants to be citizens of a democratic country, it doesn't want to be part of an authoritarian regime. This is why our people must courageously stand up to express themselves," emphasized Lee.
Lee urged Taiwanese citizens living in the south to use the power that put him and Chen Shui-bian (³¯¤ô«ó) in the presidential office to change the destiny of Taiwan.
He said this group holds the nation's destiny holds in its hands.
The Taiwan Solidarity Union and the Democratic Progressive Party, who are ideologically close, have recently been at loggerheads since the 'Chen-Soong summit' on February 24.
At the meeting President Chen Shui-bian and People First Party Chairman James Soong (§º·¡·ì) forged a common statement concerning the nation's policies. Many 'Deep Green' members have expressed outrage and discontent over what they view as a major change in President Chen's attitude.
The TSU has called on DPP lawmakers and party members who disagree with the 'Chen-Soong summit' to quit their DPP membership and join the TSU instead.
Over the last month, the TSU has been organizing weekend activities around the island, to garner support.
Thousands sign up
According to Chiang Yueh-chin, Director of Womens Affairs for the TSU, these activities have gathered about ten thousand signatures over the past two weekends at the Lungshan Temple in western Taipei City alone.
In response to the Chinese government's proposed law that could form a legal basis for attack if Taiwan declares de jure independence, the TSU plans to submit a draft 'anti-annexation law' in the current legislative session.
The National People's Congress of China is anticipated to debate the anti-secession law tomorrow before the government officially adopts it.
The TSU's 'anti-annexation law' comprises five articles that clearly define the two sides of the Taiwan Strait as two separate sovereign nations and that the territories under Taiwan's effective jurisdiction include Taiwan proper, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, the Dongsha (Pratas) Islands, the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, Green Island and Orchid Island.
The draft, which rejects non-peaceful cross-strait interaction, including economic sanctions, also states that any changes to Taiwan's status quo or the country's sovereignty must be subject to consent from the people of Taiwan.
If the draft becomes law both the president and parliament would be empowered to initiate a referendum on measures to be taken by the government should the country face the threat of annexation, invasion or intimidation.
The president would be required to inform parliament immediately of any response - including the suspension of all exchanges and communications - to a threat from China, according to the TSU draft bill.
The rhetoric on both sides has been escalating of late.
Related:
http://www.reuters.co.in/locales/c_newsArticle.jsp?type=worldNews&localeKey=en_IN&storyID=7817471
8 new subs for Taiwan, for starters. Plus PAC3s, etc
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