DPP Newsletter Mar2013

7/28/2019 DPP Newsletter Mar2013

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MARCH 2013

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DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

KMT plays trickery with referendum ques-tion on nuclear power

On March 6, the KMT issued the question that

will be posed in the referendum to be held on

the nuclear power issue. The text of the nuclear

power referendum states, Do you agree that

the construction of the Fourth Nuclear PowerPlant should be halted and that it not become

operational?

Responding to this development, DPP Chair Su

Tseng-chang said, It is clear that in issuing this

referendum question, the KMT is distorting

text. It is also clear that their ambition is to con-

tinue construction on the Fourth Nuclear Power

Plant. The KMT is beating around the bush,

violating the will of the people, and this is abso-

lutely unacceptable.

Chair Su emphasized that the issue of nuclear

power in earthquake-prone Taiwan must be

completely bipartisan. Once again, he appealedfor the public to come out and express their

stance against nuclear power in the March 9th

rally.

DPP Spokesperson Wang Ming-sheng ex-

plained the DPPs suspicions towards the way

in which the referendum question was posed by

the KMT. He emphasized the illegality of the

question based on a past ruling by the Supreme

Administrative Court.


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According to Mr. Wang, the Supreme Adminis-

trative Court has passed a ruling that requires the

referendum question to be subjective, and usually

in the affirmative and retained in simplicity in

order not to create voter difficulties.

The KMTs question includes a double proposi-

tion of halting construction and not become

operational, which is rarely seen in a referen-

dum question, and it also violates the Supreme

Administrative Courts ruling, Mr. Wang said.

The DPP accused KMT for plainly tricking the

people with a highly controversial referendum

law requiring 50% of the registered voters to par-

ticipate in the referendum and 50% of those who

vote must vote in favor of the proposal.

Su Tseng-chang:even though the people cannot decide whichbattles to fight, they can still decide the win-On March 4, at the general assembly of the DPPs

Legislative Caucus at the Legislative Yuan, DPP

Chair Su Tseng-chang reaffirmed the DPPs une-

quivocal stance of halting the construction of the

FourthNuclear Power Plant, for which the party

has resolved to engage in a full-fledged battle.

In response to the KMTs attempt at resuming the

construction of the Fourth Nuclear Plant, Chair Su

appealed to all kinds ofpeopleto stand up and

speak out. Despite the KMT constantly creating

hurdles against the anti-nuke camp, Chair Su said

confidently that the peoples will shall prevail.

Even though we cannot choose which battles to

fight, we will eventually win, and the government

must answer to public opinion in the end, he

said.

Chair Su criticized the KMT for using its majority

in the Legislative Yuan to outnumber those stand-

ing to end nuclear power in Taiwan. Nevertheless,

he said he felt encouraged to know that when it

comes to the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant Refer-

endum, the major players are not just political

parties. He said that instead, the movement has

shifted to become a social force among civic soci-

ety, just like the moms who have stood out to de-

mand a safe homeland for the future generation,

the silent majority from all walks of life, the

youth brimming with ideals and even the nine-to-

fivers who are usually too busy to give their opin-

ions or to exercise their rights.


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Its our

home,

and we

decidehow to

build it,

he said,

encour-

aging the

people to

join

forces in the no-nuke campaign and gather to-

gether to create a momentum that will force the

government to give-in to the peoples most de-termined stance to this date.

For us, this is the only battlefield, said Chair

Su, noting that the DPP is neither going to pro-

pose another referendum topic, nor going to jeop-

ardize its integrity by making contradictions.

During the meeting, it was discussed that in order

to counter the governments designation of a

tricky topic to get the construction approved andtaking advantage of a crippled Referendum Act,

DPP legislators will unite with legislators from

other parties who are also against nuclear power

to demand the KMT to retract the holding of a

referendum and stop construction of the power

plant altogether.

The DPP is also intent on letting the people see

that instead of treating the issue seriously, the

KMT has engineered the referendum in an absurdway in the hopes that the people will realize that

the KMTs stance has been the opposite to the

public, getting in the way of Taiwans progress.

The Ma administration hopes that with an unat-

tainable 9 million people requirement and a tricky

topic, the referendum will not pass, but they can-

not underestimate the power of the people, he

said.

Chair Su further cited the catastrophic results of

the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant incident,

which has caused great concerns amongst Tai-

wanese peopleas Taiwan has the highest nuclearplant density in the world. He also said that tomake matters worse, we have an incapable and

ill-advised ruling party that is pro-nuclear power.

He said now is the crucial moment in the DPPs

30 years of the anti-nuke campaign to remain the

uncompromising partner of all anti-nuke advo-

cates.

This is a battle of integrity and values, said DPP

Legislative Caucus Convener Ker Chien-ming,

noting that the party will not propose another ref-erendum topic, but it will be fully engaged in the

battle, especially seeing to the end, the amend-

ment to the Referendum Act.

He dismissed Premier Jiang Yi-huahs version of

the referendum as a formality meant for policy

approval, noting that for a political leader, right-

eousness and accountability are paramount. Con-

vener Ker further said that if the government finds

its way to continue the plants construction de-ceivingly, it will end up alienating the people, and

this will be detrimental to Premier Jiang, as he

will be considered the most fallen intellectual of

the century.

According to Convener Ker, the issue is not a

stand-off between the KMT and the DPP, and it

boils down to either being for or against a

nuclear-free homeland. He said that just as when

the KMT proposed what they call a referendumfor the continued construction of the Fourth Nu-

clear Plant, they created their own doomsday.

Convener Ker warned that if they refuse to face

reality, they will be digging their own grave. He

concluded that even if the KMT managed to pass

the referendum technically, it will lose the peo-

ples faith, and this is going to be the last straw

that brings down the Ma administration.


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DPP attends rally on 54th Tibetan UprisingDay

DPP Chair Su participated as a guest speaker atthe 54th anniversary remembrance of Tibetan Up-

risidng Day and annual demonstration of Tibetans

against Oppression. With the masses vowing to

safeguard democracy and freedom together, Chair

Su called all the participants to assist those still

facing oppression and help their cause of libera-

tion.

This year marks the 54th anniversary of the Chi-

nese invasion of Tibet in 1959 as well as their

leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's forced exile.

Tibetans in exile and living in Taiwan along with

friends of Tibetans together held a rally in Taipei

City to commemorate the event.

While speaking at the rally, Chair Su reminded the

public that the one party dictatorship of the

Kuomintang heavily oppressed the Taiwanese

people in the past. In attempts to attain a demo-

cratic society with respect for human rights, many

revolutionary individuals in Taiwan, such as Chen

Nan-jung, were forced to sacrifice themselves

through self-immolation. In recent years, more

than one hundred Tibetans have also sadly and

tragically sacrificed themselves the same way inprotest of oppression as they struggle to achieve

their freedom. Thus, Chair Su appealed Taiwanese

people and citizens of every country to bravely

step forward and to help support the Tibetan peo-

ple with their cause.

Later on, the chanting of Free Tibet! could be

heard as Chair Su and the crowd vowed to stand

together with Tibetans in support of helping them

achieve democracy for their country. While recall-

ing that an unjust Taiwanese society existed until

recently, Chair Su encouraged everyone to support

each other and help liberate those who still live in

oppression.

Besides Chair Su, DPP Legislators Bi-khim Hsiao,

Yu Mei-nu, Chen Chieh-ru, Lin Shu-fen, City

Councilor Hsu Chia-ching and Former Deputy

Premier Yeh Chu-lan also attended the rally.


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DPP Chair Su Tseng-changs remarks atWorld Taiwanese Congress annual meeting

DPP Chair Su Tseng-Chang was

invited as a guest speaker at the

12th consecutive international

conference hosted by the World

Taiwanese Congress and the

Taiwan Nation Alliance on

March 15.

In regards to economic issues

and other topics related to Tai-

wan's national security, Chair Su

highlighted some of Mas ad-

ministrations most crucial mis-

takes in the presidents five years

in office. Chair Su also reaf-

firmed his support for the

strengthening of Taiwan's self-

defense as well as for the coop-

eration of Taiwan, Japan, South

Korea, and the United States in

maintaining peace, prosperity

and security in the region.

While expressing that Taiwan is a

country that supports interna-

tional trade, Chair Su also shared

the concerns of the Taiwanese

people regarding the Ma admini-

stration's incompetence in the

past five years, where economic

failures were evident. First, he

said President Ma has compro-

mised Taiwans sovereignty,

which has resulted in the people

worrying about their well-being.

Later on, with the country's fail-

ure to follow international

growth trends, Taiwan appears to

be regressing, he said.

Chair Su said that in contrast, the

current Prime Minister of Japan,

Shinzo Abe, has instituted a

string of economic reform poli-

cies immediately after returning

to office, and U.S. President Ba-

rack Obama has also set out

plans to sign FTA with the Euro-

pean Union and pledging more

domestic manufacturing jobs.

A global trend in economic

planning is obvious, he said.

With the recovery of the inter-

national economy, the Taiwanese

people expect our government to

help us ride that wave, but with-

out actions in sight, the DPP has

set out a 3-4-5 economic target at

the beginning of this year.

He said the DPP plan projects to

reach a growth of per capita of

3%, the unemployment rate fal-

ling to below 4%, and the growth

of our economy to exceed 5%.

We continue to hope the Ma

administration will seize the

many opportunities available.

However, this administration not

only failed to respond to the peo-

ple's expectations, but they also

resorted to punish the DPP chair.These shortcomings highlight

major miscalculations on the

government's part.

Chair Su concluded the Ma ad-

ministration's goals as too reliant

on China. He said that everyone

understands that one should not

place all their eggs into one bas-

ket. Yet the Ma administrationviolated this common sense, he


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said.

He cited ECFA as an example, prior to its signing,

President Ma promised this agreement would pave

the way to the signing of many FTAs. Yet two and ahalf years later, Taiwan still has not been able to

sign any FTAs. He further mentioned that even Ja-

pan and the United States do not appear to show a

desire to sign an FTA with Taiwan.

Chair Su explained that in these five years of the

Ma administration, the actual investment rate is

16.5%, which cannot be compared to the DPP's rate

of 23.9%.

He criticized the current model engaged by the

government, which is completely reliant on China,

a mistake to take for Taiwan, a country that needs

many different international trade partners. Accord-

ing to Chair Su, the current 2 million consumers in

different ethnic groups are lacking enough variety

to keep the consumption demand afloat.

In 2011, annual investments in Taiwan have re-

gressed to just 1.69 billion USD. While comparing

international investments, Taiwan has fallen to sec-

ond place from the bottom, only beating the African

country of Angola. With falling capital, a contract-

ing economy, and a climbing unemployment rate,

the Taiwanese people are suffering.

In regards to national security, Chair Su said he be-

lieved that the Ma administration thinks improving

relations with China and promoting peace were suf-

ficient, but the peace achieved on this platform can

only be short termed, especially with the East

China Sea controversy occurring. He said that as a

result, there is the impression among the interna-

tional community that two countries China and

Taiwan are collaborating against Japan. Such mis-

judgments will result in hostilities between Taiwan

and Japan and the most severely impacted people

are the fishermen of both countries, he said.

He further added that while the DPP believes the

Diaoyutai Islands are under the sovereignty of Tai-

wan, the well-being of fishermen from both Taiwan

and Japan should be the main priority. Quickly re-

solving the fishery issues and preventing a thirdcountry from interfering into this bilateral issue

would result in the least amount of conflict, said

Chair Su.

Only long term thinking and planning will result

in maintaining peace. It takes the four democracies,

Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and the United States

to cooperate with one another with respect for free-

dom, human rights and values. The people cannot

accept allowing a non-democratic country to inter-fere.

Chair Su also emphasized the strengthening of our

national defense. He explained that Freedom is not

free! and the Taiwanese people must understand

the sacrifices associated with democracy. Our coun-

try must achieve self-sufficiency, he urged.

We must preserve the ability to defend ourselves

through researching and developing our weapons

technology. We cannot get comfortable because di-

plomacy has eased tensions and relaxed our mili-

tary development. Only this way can we continue

protecting our country's safety.


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In regards to the possible visit of Zhang Zhijun,Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State

Council of China, Joseph Wu, Executive Director

of the DPPs Policy Research Committee, said

there are three principles that must be remem-

bered:

1. Sovereignty

2. Equality

3. Respect for democracy

China must understand that Taiwan is a demo-cratic country where there are many different

opinions, and some of them may not be the same

as China, and according to the majority opinion

of Taiwan, Taiwan is a democratic country, sover-

eign and independent, and does not wish to unify

with China, Mr. Wu said.

Mr. Wu emphasized that if Chinese officials un-

derstand these three main principles, and the Tai-

wanese government ensures that they are fol-lowed, the DPP holds no opposition to any visits

by Chinese officials.

In regards to visits by representatives from the

DPPs think tank, the New Frontier Foundation,

to China, including a possible attendance to the

11th Cross Strait Relations Conference, Mr. Wu

said that the DPP has always advocated and does

not oppose any active and confident engage-

ment with China.

Mr. Zhang mentioned on March 22 at the Cross

Strait Relations Conference, that in order to re-

solve political issues between the cross straits, it

must start from dialogue among civil society, es-

pecially encouraging think tanks to hold confer-

ences and workshops. The DPPs Director of

China Affairs, Mr. Honigman Hong said Mr.

Zhangs remarks were welcomed by the DPP, but

exchanges must be increased based on mutualtrust and understanding, and if one side expresses

too strongly its objectives, then these exchanges

would be counterproductive.

He further pointed out that the DPP has encour-

aged cross strait civic interactions, but these ex-

changes must originate from the desire of society

without political party intervention.

Mr. Hong appealed the Taiwan Affairs Office notto say one thing, but taking other actions, and to

allow civic groups to hold real and meaningful

exchanges, especially without any intervention

from political parties.

The fact is, China has not stopped suppressing

Taiwans international space, said Mr. Hong at a

press conference on March 27.

Recently, the U.S. Senate and House of Represen-tatives have introduced bills to support Taiwans

bid to join the International Civil Aviation Or-

ganization (ICAO). However, Chinas Taiwan Af-

fairs Office Spokesperson Yang Yi publicly com-

mented that, foreign interferences complicate

matters, and we are absolutely opposed.

Mr. Hong said that Taiwan has continuously faced

difficulties when it comes to its international rela-

tions, and it counts on the assistance of its foreign

friends to support its entry bids into world or-

ganizations. He further mentioned that as Taiwan

is a sovereign and independent country, it does

not need to seek any foreign interference from

China, who has not stopped bullying Taiwan.

China has also recently interfered into the atten-

dance of Taiwanese officials in the 2013 Jakarta

International Defense Conference, which resulted

DPP: China continues to suppress Tai-wans international space


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in Taiwan not being allowed to participate. In this

years commemoration of the 311 Earthquake in

Japan, China also protested Japan mentioning

Taiwans previous assistance in the disaster relief.

Mr. Hong criticized President Ma Ying-jeous

diplomatic truce, which is just wishful thinking

from his administrations part. He lastly appealed

for the public in general to understand that these

past exchanges have been nothing but contain-

ment within interaction, and they have all failed

to fulfill Taiwans interests.

DPP releases youth public opinion survey

On Youth Day, March 29, the DPP released a

public opinion poll held for youth participantsover the junior college age regarding their views

on current affairs as well as the anti-nuke

movement.

Mr. Chou Yu-shou, deputy director of the DPPs

Department of Youth Affairs, made a summary

briefing of the poll results. He said that accord-

ing to the poll, the issue that youth are most

worried about is finding employment after

graduation.

There were 55% of the respondents who ex-

pressed concerns about finding

employment in the future,

while 43% of the students said

that they believed that future

employment opportunities

would be less.

In regards to issues regarding

the media, 79% of the respon-

dents believed that media mo-

nopoly was a very serious is-

sue.

Regarding continuing con-

struction on the Fourth Nuclear

Power Plant, there were 74%

who were opposed to continu-

ing construction. In government efficiency, there

were 76% who expressed dissatisfaction towardsthe current government.

Mr. Chou said that based on these figures, it can

be seen that the youth are worried and not satis-

fied with the current state of affairs of the coun-

try, and that in itself is quite worrisome.

Their views on social conditions, political af-

fairs, education and media are very concerning,

and the government must reflect and pay atten-

tion to these figures, said Mr. Chou.


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The DPP has welcome a resolu-

tion passed in March by the

Council of Asian Liberals and

Democrats (CALD), of which

the DPP is a founding member,

calling for the granting of medi-

cal parole for Former President

Chen Shui-bian.

Below is the resolution in full:

CALD Resolution No. 1 S.

2013

CALD resolution calling for the

grant of medical parole to For-

mer Taiwanese President and

Former CALD Chair Chen Shui-

bian.

The Council of Asian Liberals

and Democrats (CALD):

Noting the statement passed in

the recently concluded CALD

Conference on Challenges to

Fundamental Freedoms which

reiterates CALDs enduringcommitment to fundamental

rights and liberties;

Regretting that the right against

inhuman punishment and the

right to adequate healthcare are

not being observed in the case of

former Taiwanese President and

former CALD Chair Chen Shui-

bian, who has been serving aprison term for more than four

years now under substandard

and inhumane conditions;

Recognizing that the former

president is in poor health and is

suffering from severe depression

as attested by medical profes-

sionals;

Lamenting the fact that the gov-

ernments claim of providing the

former president with the best

living conditions and healthcare

under the law was not supported

by foreign officials and medical

professionals who visited him;

and

Highlighting the increasing

popular clamor for the grant of

medical parole as evidenced by

the passage of resolutions sup-

porting the move in seventeen

(17) city and county councils in

Taiwan.

Hereby:

Urges the government of Presi-

dent Ma Ying-jeou to go beyond

partisan interests and immedi-

ately grant former President

Chen a medical parole;

Supports the conclusion made

by Joseph Lin in November

2012, leader of the US medical

team which examined formerPresident Chen, who said that

the conditions under which the

former president was being held

constituted a gross miscarriage

of justice and human rights;

Supports the appeal made in

March 2013 by the International

Group of Independent Experts

on Human Rights to the Gov-

ernment of Taiwan that, on hu-

manitarian grounds, it takes ap-

propriate action in relation to the

serious health problems of for-

mer President Chen;

Appeals that adequate and inten-

sive medical care be given im-

mediately to the former presi-

dent by independent medical

experts; and

Trusts that the grant of medical

parole to Former President Chen

would pave the way for genuine

political reconciliation and

maturation of Taiwanese democ-

racy.

Signed on behalf of the Council

of Asian Liberals and Demo-

crats:

Sam Rainsy, CALD Chair

J.R. Nereus Acosta, Secretary

General

DPP welcomes CALD resolution support-ing Former President Chen Shui-bians

medical parole


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DEMOCRACY &

PROGRESS

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Department of InternationalAffairs DemocraticProgressive Party

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Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306

Fax: 886-2-2393-0342

Email: [email protected]

Website:

http://www.dpp.org.tw
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DPP Newsletter Mar2013