President Lee Teng-hui (Dec. 13, 1999) told Richard Bush, the chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, that Taiwan insists on "special state-to-state relations" as the basis for any dealings with China.

"Special state-to-state relations" is the most basic position which we must insist upon in Cross-Strait affairs," Lee told Bush, under this condition, Lee said; "we are willing to discuss or handle or make adjustments on any issue relating to Cross-Strait affairs." Lee also reiterated that if China showed goodwill toward Taiwan and gave a concrete response to resuming talks, Taiwan would be willing to reconsider its trade policies with the mainland.

In Taiwan vice President and Kuomintang presidential candidate Lien Chan expressed willingness to discuss reunification with China on an equal basis in his meeting (Dec. 14, 1999) with Richard Bush, the U.S. top point man with Taiwan. Bush first met with independent candidate James Soong last Thursday (Dec. 9, 1999), Soong told him that any change to Taiwan's status must have the people's approval and that the ROC is an independent, sovereign state.

On Monday (Dec. 12, 1999) Democratic Progressive Party candidate Chen Shui-bian told Bush that the island is an independent country, but used the name Taiwan to describe the island. He also criticized Lien for threatening regional peace by supporting Taiwan's development of long-range missiles. American officials have said they do not have a preferential candidate and would work with whoever was elected (Dec. 14, 1999).

In Taiwan, the military said (Dec. 14, 1999) it's inappropriate for Defense Minister Tang Fei to apologize for the wrongful convictions during the 40 years of martial law. He said the "foundation for improper trials during the Martial Law," and ad hoc body under the ministry, will fully handle compensations for the victims.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, government human rights investigator said military commanders should be held accountable for the orgy of murder and destruction three months ago since they knew it was taking place and did nothing to prevent it, Wahid said (Dec. 13, 1999) he would not interfere in the judicial process and would allow the courts to decide the fate of the generals, including his senior minister for security and political affairs, general Wiranto, who was military chief during the East Timor crisis.

In personally opinion, Taiwan does not posses the technology required for the development of missiles with a range of more than 5,000 kilometers, even though it is now capable of producing short-and mid-range missiles.

BERLIN, Dec. 13 ---
Prominent mainland Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng told the CNA Sunday that he feared mainland China's military designs against Taiwan and would like to visit here before the March 2000 presidential elections.

Regarding the election, Wei said he is very concerned about two feelings that the Taiwan public in general has that are not necessarily correct. One is that the Chinese communists will not attack Taiwan military, and the other is that the United States will intervene if military conflict erupts across the Taiwan Strait.

Wei warned that the Chinese communists, as a whole, are basically a daring group willing to take risks. Citing history as an example, Wei said that some 50 years ago the Chinese communists managed to defeat the Nationalist forces and take control of the whole mainland with proportionally fewer capabilities, simply because they "dared to."

He asked the people of Taiwan to avoid thinking that mainland Chinese forces will not attack Taiwan.

Wei also opined that according to his information gathered from the United States, Washington would not come to Taiwan's rescue under any circumstances.

Wei said a first-hand observation of the presidential election, which is one of the most important democratic processes in Taiwan, would be absolutely beneficial to mainland China's democratization.

Wei added that he has attached great importance to Taiwan's democratic development because Taiwan remains the one and only area in the world politically controlled by Chinese people that is democratic.

He added that maintaining Taiwan's interests is tantamount to maintaining a source of hope for democratization in mainland China.