Dear Mr. Vice President Al Gore,

For about TMD (the Theater Missile Defense), Defense Minister Tang Fei yesterday (March 9, 1999) said Taiwan ought to begin fundamental work on a missile defense system to counter. Although "we do not yet have a clear figure on what this system, rather than sitting here waiting for missiles to fly over our heads three or five years later", Tang added.

Meanwhile; President Lee Teng-hui told U.S. envoy Willian Perry that China's military threat against Taiwan forces the island to study joining a regional missile defense arrangement. "Basically, if China didn't consider Taiwan an enemy, dropped its hegemonic attitude and, large scale missile installations along the mainland coast, then there wouldn't be any reason" for a missile defense system", Lee said, according to a statement released by his office.

Despite TMD issue; at least 120 prominent legislators and activists are planning an indefinite hunger strike beginning April 10 unless provision for a plebiscite is inserted into the constitution. "No public policy is more important than the future of Taiwan" DDP legislator Trong Chai in an interview yesterday (March 9, 1999).

In our views; true democracy cannot be achieved unless the ordinary people could participate in a plebiscite.