3/27/2014
Department of International Affairs - Democratic Progressive Party
Former U.S. Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State Richard Armitage visited the DPP Headquarters on
March 27 with a delegation from the Project 2049 Institute. Mr. Armitage asked
Chair Su’s opinion regarding the student movement currently taking place at the
Legislative Yuan. Chair Su responded that the movement is a representation of
the people’s dissatisfaction towards the Ma administration, especially the nontransparent
way in which they negotiated the Cross Strait Services Trade Agreement. He said
that the Ma administration also failed to adequately inform the legislature and
the entire process was not democratic, forcing the agreement to pass.
They also violated
the previous deal with the opposition parties to review each clause of the
pact. He explained this is the main reason why the students felt the necessity
to start their own movement and express their dissatisfaction.
Chair Su said it
has already been 9 days since they occupied the legislature and President Ma
still refuses to meet with the students, which is causing everyone’s worry. He pointed
out that without the students’ intervention, the KMT would have already passed
the agreement. As a result of President Ma’s non-response, choosing violent
suppression instead of peace, the public has already labeled the Ma
administration as nondemocratic and violent. He said that the DPP hopes for a
smooth conclusion of this conflict. However, he said that the key is for
President Ma to take action by engaging in dialogue with the students.
Chair Su mentioned
the Wild Lily Student Movement 24 years ago, in which they called for the
resignation of for-life legislators as well as the abolition of the National
Assembly. Then President Lee Teng-hui had met with the student representatives,
responding to the students’ demands, which led to reform and the re-election of
the entire legislature.
“This students’
movement has the full support of the DPP,” Chair Su said. “The DPP was founded
during Martial Law, and we strived for democracy and freedom. We stand behind these
students because we identify with their cause and we hope that the government can
humbly listen to their voices so that the country can move forward.”
