-Caveat Lector- Taiwan Statement May Enrage China TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- In a new book that could enrage China, Taiwan's president urged Beijing to give up its nationalistic concept of a ``Great China'' and instead divide the country into several smaller autonomous regions. President Lee Teng-hui was to unveil the book, called ``Taiwan's Viewpoint,'' on Wednesday. It describes his political viewpoints and experience dating back to before he became president of Taiwan in 1988. In excerpts published by the United Daily News on Saturday, Lee appears to take a tough stand against Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the island. ``Taiwan's democracy and its economic achievement were the sole efforts of Taiwanese,'' Lee writes. ``The Chinese Communists have made no contributions, and of course have no right to make any claims on Taiwan.'' Lee, the island's first Taiwanese-born president, says Taiwan and China have come a long way from the civil war in the 1940s in which the Communists and Nationalists fought for control in mainland China, but they have since become two equal political entities. He calls on Chinese leaders to give autonomy to Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia and a separate northeast region. ``What the Chinese Communists should do is to give up the binding concept of a Great China, and give autonomy to the regions with distinctive features,'' he wrote. Lee also reiterates his stand that there is no need for Taiwan to declare independence from China. A formal declaration along with the adoption of a new name would endanger Taiwan's de facto independence, he wrote. China has threatened to use force against the island if it declares independence. Lee also wrote that Taiwan can probably resist Beijing's efforts for reunification with continued support from the United States. ``The United States would not change its policy toward Taiwan as long as it does not detour from reality and as long as Taiwan maintains its strategic importance,'' he wrote. He also said it is up to China to improve its often prickly relations with Taiwan. ``If the Chinese communist leaders really care about the welfare of the mainland people, it must try to ease the tense relations with Taiwan,'' Lee was quoted as saying. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
