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Activists say Ma, CCP conspiring
AFP AND CNA, WITH STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010, Page 3
Social activists demonstrate in front of the
legislature in Taipei yesterday, calling on legislators and the public to
support a referendum on the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Dozens of activists protested yesterday against a trade pact with Beijing they
claim is the result of a conspiracy between the Taiwanese and Chinese
governments.
The demonstrators assembled outside the legislature, which is currently in
recess, chanting slogans against the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA)
and President Ma Ying-jeou (°¨^¤E).
¡§The ECFA is a conspiracy of the Ma Ying-jeou administration and the Chinese
Communist Party [CCP],¡¨ said Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan founder Tsay
Ting-kuei (½²¤B¶Q), the leader of the crowd, waving his fist in the air.
¡§If it is as good as Ma claims, then why doesn¡¦t he let the people decide
whether or not they want it?¡¨ Tsay asked.
The Taiwan Solidarity Union has filed a second referendum proposal over the ECFA
after the first was turned down by the government¡¦s Referendum Review Committee.
A previous bid for a referendum, organized by the Democratic Progressive Party,
was also turned down.
The group pledged to continue the protest over coming weeks as the legislature
mulls an extra session to ratify the agreement.
Meanwhile, government representatives reassured the diplomatic corps yesterday
that the ECFA would benefit foreign investors by bringing stability to the Asia
region.
The panel of officials, however, did not fully answer sensitive questions, such
as the political implications of the new cross-strait pact or how the government
plans to appease dissenting voices.
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