ROC-Taiwan dialog

I am writing this letter in response to the article entitled U.S. presses Taiwan to talk to China, published in The Jakarta Post, on Feb. 25, 1998.

On reading the first few paragraphs of the article, readers may have been mislead into thinking that Taiwan is reluctant to resume talks with Beijing. I would like to clarify this issue and explain how dialogue between the two sides facing each other across the Taiwan Strait is progressing.

The government of the Republic of China has consistently kept the door to cross-strait negotiations open, but there can be no prerequisites attached to commencement of talks. This position has remained unchanged since talks were brought to a halt two years and eight months ago.

The Republic of China government has actively promoted cross- strait dialog for the past two years. Reciprocal visits by senior officials from Taiwan's state-sanctioned Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF) and its Beijing counterpart provide one such example.

Taiwanese authorities sent letters in July 1996, Nov. 1997, and Jan. 1998 suggesting a resumption of talks between two sides. After a year and a half, Beijing responded positively to a proposal that Mr. Koo Chen-fu visit Mainland China for talks.

The government of the Republic of China expects that the second round of talks can address issues relating to peaceful cross-strait development and democratic reunification with China step by step.

It is our hope that mainland authorities will take further steps so that both sides of the Taiwan Strait may share peace, prosperity and development. Taipei and Beijing should work together to resume talks and to institutionalize channels of communication and consultation as soon as possible.

We invite mainland China to join our endeavors to foster a better cross-strait relationship and enhance security and stability in Southeast Asia.

CINDY M.H. CHIEN

Assistant

Information Division

Taipei Economic and Trade Office

Jakarta