Chen tells BBC of new constitution

NO TIMETABLE: President Chen Shui-bian said in an interview that a new constitution for Taiwan will not touch on the issues of unification or independence
By Chang Yun-ping
STAFF REPORTER , WITH AGENCIES
Thursday, Apr 01, 2004,Page 1

President Chen Shui-bian (???) yesterday said the new constitution he has vowed to finalize in his second term as president is not a timetable for independence, reiterating his view that Taiwan is an independent sovereign country.

In an interview with the BBC published on their Web site yesterday, Chen said "we want to put the new constitution to a direct referendum of the people to decide whether they want to accept the new constitution or not, and this new constitution will have no bearing on the issue of unification or independence, nor will it change the status quo."

Chen said the introduction of the new constitution by 2008 aims at modernizing political institutions and enshrining certain rights.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/04/01/2003116175