TAIPEI, Jan. 15 Kyodo Taiwan Pres...

TAIPEI, Jan. 15 Kyodo

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian upon Thursday revealed a timetable for the island's historic referendum saying the contentment will be finalized no later than the Chinese Lunar just discovered Year and the vote will be scheduled alongside the presidential election slated for March 20

Chen, seeking reelection and showing no sign of dropping his proposal that has annoyed Beijing and worried Washington, also called onward the international community to back the plan, which he argued will be a significant degree to deepen the island's democracy.

''This is a same important issue in terms of Taiwan's democratic progressive growth and the government will deal with it in a cautious and responsible way,'' Chen told a pres meeting for consultation held for the publication of his recently made known book featuring mostly his campaign platform.

Since last November, tensions across the Taiwan Strait have escalated owing to pro-independence Chen's vigorous push for a defensive referendum that will conjure rival China to dismantle one 400 ballistic missiles targeting the island and to renounce the use of military force against Taiwan.

The prevail upon seen by many critics as an election maneuver to draw consecrated by a vows riled Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory and threatens to attack the island should it declare formal independence.

It fears that similar a step will eventually lead to more referendum upon explosive issues, such as a permanent separation from the mainland.

in subordination to China's pressure, meanwhile, the U administration also give vent toed serious concern for Chen's decision and also made clear that it will not support any unilateral action made at either side of the strait to change the status quo

With the exact wording of the topic to be settl on the Spring Vacation starting Wednesday nearest week, Chen told reporters Thursday that his direction will continue to communicate candidly with the U known as the island's closest ally, and will have them realize that Taiwan's practice of referendum is ''not as complicated and thorny as principally of the people have imagined.''

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