Taiwan calls for DMZ with China

By The Associated Press

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TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian called today for a demilitarized zone with China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province and maintains a considerable arsenal across the Taiwan Strait from the island.

Chen said troops, missiles and other weapons would be removed from the zone, but he gave no details of where the zone would be.

The plan is expected to be scorned by China, which has viewed previous Chen proposals as attempts at independence.

Chen also repeated his proposal for liaison offices and special envoys based in Beijing and Taiwan's capital, Taipei.

Leaders from China and Taiwan have not met since the island territory split away from the mainland in 1949. Beijing has repeatedly threatened to use force to take over Taiwan, just 100 miles off China's coast.

Chinese leaders have insisted that Taiwan must agree that it is an inseparable part of China. The Taiwanese president has refused to accept any preconditions for talks.

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