Chen calls for cross-strait talks based on democracy

During the second day of his Marshall Islands trip yesterday, President Chen Shui-bian (???) said that Beijing and Taipei should learn to trust each other in order to prevent a military confrontation. He also said that he is always willing to negotiate with the Chinese government under the principles of democracy and peace.

"The door to resolve cross-strait problems is always open if Beijing is willing to follow the principles of democracy and peace and talk to us," Chen said. "To affirm eternal peace between Beijing and Taipei is not something that can be accomplished immediately. But if we progress step by step, it will eventually come about."

Chen made his remarks while he was addressing the Marshall Islands' Senate yesterday morning. The president said that war results in suffering, hatred and sorrow.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/05/03/2003252917

catch-up on this one.

...of outside meddling in cross straight relations.

Adherence to democratic principles is just a zinger, meant to spur discontent and dissent in China. I admit it has a chance of working, because such appeals usually are most successful in times of rising expectations.

Let's assume for the moment that Beijing was a democratic form of government. Does anyone think for a moment that Chinese claims of sovereignty over Taiwan would abate? This is akin to thinking that if Iraq were truly sovereign, it would see things the way of Israel and the US. Such thinking is absurd.

The bandying about of the democracy interference strategy with respect to Beijing will have all sorts of unintended and undesireable outcomes. Ultimately, the results will be the exact opposite of those sought by its proponents, as the central authority moves to crush and suppress dissent. This is the true objective of such a strategy, to destabilize the communist government. This will only result in more bellicose nationalist rhetoric out of the mainland.

That 'democracy' is the greatest good, and that everyone wants it.

Simply not so.

I think my point was just the opposite as a matter of fact.

say that

My boss always says, "don't use big words and long sentences with the jury, they don't understand it."

Your confusion over what you're saying is.

there's no other explanation for your complete misunderstanding of what I said.

I'm confused over what I said. That's real funny. I know you are but what am I? Is that next?

makes mistakes! I wish the dirty Mainland Communist Chinese bastard would swim to Taiwan! Then we would have any problems at all!