Chen wants US to facilitate cross-strait talks - TW-CN

By Lin Chieh-yu
STAFF REPORTER
Friday, Apr 02, 2004,Page 1

President Chen Shui-bian (???) yesterday continued to clarify his stance on his campaign promise of writing a new constitution before the end of 2006, vowing that the constitutional reform has nothing to do with independence or changing the status quo.

Chen also expressed goodwill toward Beijing and said he would pursue "peaceful cross-strait relations," urging the US to play a more prominent role in facilitating the reopening of cross-strait dialogue.

The Presidential Office has granted a number of requests from foreign media to interview Chen during the past week, and it expects the international community would now better understand the government's policies and avoid making incorrect judgments.

In an interview published by the Asian Wall Street Journal yesterday, Chen again denied that his intention to create a new constitution is a step toward independence for Taiwan.

"My most important goal in my second term would be to foster peaceful cross-strait relations and stability and safety in the Asia- Pacific region," Chen said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/04/02/2003116323

Mr. President (Chen Shui Bian). Do you feel confident in the aWol Adm.? Considering Korea, Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, all of Europe...?

Mr. President (Chen Shi Bian), I know you're English is not excellent. I will teach you some words now. In American English, we call what you're hoping for:
'PISSING IN THE WIND'.
Sir, please don't repeat this infront of your wife and children! And please don't tell anyone I taught you this!

Thank you!

http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB108056541697267809-search,00.html?collection=autowire%2F30day&vql_string=jason+dean%3Cin%3E%28article%2Dbody%29

Taiwan's Chen Touts Peace,
Bigger U.S. Role in Region

President Seeks an Increase
In Cross-Strait Dialogue,
But Reiterates Sovereignty

By JASON DEAN
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

April 1, 2004; Page A12

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- President Chen Shui-bian tried to reassure the U.S. that he wouldn't draw it into a conflict with China, while urging Washington to take a "more active, constructive" role in bringing about dialogue between the two longtime adversaries across the Taiwan Strait. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Chen, who won re-election on March 20, made clear that he doesn't intend to back down from his tough stance toward China, nor to ease off on policy proposals to which Beijing objects. But he insisted he has no intention in his second term of changing the island's status quo in its relationship with China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory despite 55 years of separate rule.

He said his "most important goal" in his second term would be to foster "peaceful cross-strait relations, and the stability and safety of the Asia-Pacific region." And he said he would continue to abide by pledges made at the outset of his first term not to declare formal Taiwanese independence. "And of course we will not draw any country, especially the United States, into a conflict in the Taiwan Strait," he said.
...

Mr. Chen's proposal that the U.S. act as a bridge for cross-strait dialogue, which has been floated by aides before but not publicly advocated by Mr. Chen, is likely to get a cool reception in both Beijing and Washington. Mr. Chen argued that China would be open to it because Beijing itself has asked the U.S. to get involved in the past year and pressure Taiwan to avoid actions China considers provocative. But publicly, Beijing has always called its relations with Taiwan an internal affair.

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