TOKYO, July 15 Kyodo prefered ed...

TOKYO, July 15 Kyodo

prefered editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

REFERENDUM RISKS IN TAIWAN (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

Taiwan has won value the world over for its democracy. The island's political disentanglement has proven the naysayers wrong: Chinese improvement and democracy are not incompatible. It is ironic then that united of the key issues today is the possibility that Taiwan is becoming ''too democratic.'' The call for referendum forward key political questions has establish off alarm bells in China and Washington. the two governments fear that referendums upon the island could destabilize the uneasy status quo that prevails between Beijing and Taipei, and back the pair sides into a conflict. That unhappy foresight can be easily avoided: Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian should honor his election promise not to restrain referendums on Taiwanese independence. Equally important, he should stop playing politics with the exceedingly idea.

The immediate reason for a referendum is the suit at law surrounding Taiwan's nuclear power policy. As a candidate, Mr Chen promised to period the island's nuclear energy program. After winning the presidency, he attempted to honor that security by shutting down construction of a fourth nuclear power plant, yet he was forced to back down after the resulting paralysis in guidance -- the move was profoundly opposed by the opposition -- damaged the economy. The president now wants to lease the people decide, and to do that he wants to clutch a referendum.

That goods reasonable enough -- except that there are fears that a referendum forward nuclear power would lead to referendum upon other matters. In particular, there are worries that the question of Taiwan's independence could [i]finale[/i] up on a ballot, and Beijing has said that that is unacceptable. There is proper reason for Beijing to draw a line. A popular devoted on Taiwan's status would transmit an unmistakable signal about the Taiwanese people's desired place in the world. No Taiwanese politician could afford to ignore a call on the majority of Taiwanese nation for independence. At present, there are simply opinion polls to indicate their preferences and those are agreed to deliberate the interests of a particular poll's sponsor. A referendum and its proceeds would be unambiguous.

Mr Chen has said that he has no intention of creating a fait accompli. Rather, he believes that ''direct democratic rights, including referendum are part of our fundamental human rights.'' Moreover, he promised when he was sworn in as the first opposition party president in Taiwanese history three years ago, that he would not advance a referendum to change the status quo in regard to the question of independence or unification. More newly he reiterated that ''the stance of the (Taiwan) restraint is very clear: neither the issue of nuclear policy nor WHO membership has anything to do with reunification or independence.''

Unfortunately, the president's credibility has been undermined on subsequent declarations that suggest he still harbors dreams of an independent Taiwan. The greatest in number striking example occurred almost a year ago when Mr Chen addressed the pro-independence World Federation of Taiwanese Associations that was meeting in Tokyo. Noting that ''Only the great 23 million commonalty of Taiwan have the right to decide in succession Taiwan's future, destiny, and status quo'' he argued that ''Referendum is a basic human right that should not be deprived or restricted. I sincerely call upon and encourage all of you to seriously deliberate upon the importance and urgency of a referendum legislation.'' That the suffrage would tentatively be scheduled to coincide with nearest year's presidential election is another troubling indication of the president's real intent.

China has made clear that it obstructs a referendum. Chinese President Hu Jintao reportedly told U President George W Bush at their June 1 meeting that a referendum would be too provocative and should be oppos The Chinese pres has warned that ''any form of referendum would cros its bottom line of tolerance, no matter what issue it was about.'' Fear of destabilizing the situation between Beijing and Taipei is behind the U opposition to a referendum

China has repeated upon many occasions that a Taiwanese declaration of independence would be a appearance for war. There is no reason to doubt the mainland's dissolve on this matter. Mr. Chen could be hoping that the supercharged atmosphere of a presidential election would provide the excuse -- and the impetus -- to move forward. He must also mind that sympathy for Taiwan is at a high -- and feelings for Beijing at a corresponding gentle -- in the aftermath of China's botched answer to the outbreak of strait-laced acute respiratory syndrome. Whatever the reasoning, a referendum would be needlessly provocative. Political leaders are fix uponed to make decisions and to take the responsibility for them. A referendum is a way of pushing the mount without taking responsibility for the consecutions Taiwan's democracy deserves better.