Taiwanese poll 'sign of rising identity'
Former president Lee Teng-hui yesterday gave his 'Taiwanisation' campaign a further push by saying the result of the March poll proved that sentiment for Taiwanese identity is rising.
The former leader who has grouped pro-independence activists under the banner of his Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), said there was a need for a strong leader who could help the island achieve its 'Taiwanisation' goal.
TSU lawmakers said Mr Lee was advocating a new constitution to gain more public support. All union members have been asked to push for it in the legislature.
Mr Lee has also garnered the support of 40 illegal radio stations to promote his idea on air.
Speaking to a group of young elite Taiwanese at a leader training class provided by the Lee Teng-hui School, the former president said the 'rising Taiwanese sentiment' should be used to consolidate the people's roots and turn the island into a 'normalised country'.
'The success of President Chen Shui-bian in winning a second term means that the consolidation of native Taiwanese political leadership has gone one step forward. This is once again a victory of Taiwan's democracy and the victory of the Taiwanese people,' he said.
Mr Lee did not touch on his views over Mr Chen's declaration to stop pursuing a referendum in 2006 to create a new constitution, which has upset most diehard pro-independence activists and was seen as a compromise under pressure from the mainland and the US.
Mr Chen's approach has not won him much praise from the mainland, which continues to accuse him of driving the island towards independence.
Mr Lee said he did not think a constitutional amendment was good for Taiwan.
'The current constitution has been revised six times and cannot be revised anymore. A new constitution is necessary,' he said.
