Rocky road to ‘people’s peace poll’

Date: 29/01/04

ON 27 November 2003, Taiwan passed a law on referenda prohibiting the president from calling a vote unless the country faces the threat of foreign attack.

President Chen argued, after the bill was passed, that China's missiles trained on Taiwan was such a threat, and announced a referendum to ask whether Beijing should decommission nearly 500 missiles aimed at Taiwan.

But Chen's decision prompted global concern. Critics said the plan could antagonize China, and harm the military status quo in the region.

In a 16 January television address, Chen announced the wording, which experts say was toned down to reflect these concerns. He said the first question would be: "If China does not remove missiles pointed at Taiwan, and does not renounce to use force against Taiwan, do you agree that the government should set up more anti-missile defences, in order to strengthen Taiwan's defensive ability?"

The second question: "Do you agree that the government should open negotiations with China and establish a peaceful and stable framework for interaction, to seek consensus and well-being?"

• Primary Source

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/taiwan/intro/index.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/taiwan/intro/index.htm

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