The United States said on Tuesday that it opposes the attempt by the leader of Taiwan to hold a referendum on whether to join the United Nations under the name of Taiwan, saying that such a move could change the status quo unilaterally and increase tension in the Taiwan Straits.

"The United States opposes any initiative that appears designed to change Taiwan's status unilaterally," US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a news briefing.

"This would include a referendum on whether to apply to the United Nations under the name Taiwan."

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McCormack said while such a referendum would have no practical impact on Taiwan's UN status, it would increase tension in the Taiwan Straits.

Moreover, the spokesman said, such a move would appear to run counter to repeated commitments made by the leader of Taiwan to the international community.

"Consistent with our one-China policy, we do not support Taiwan's membership in international organizations that require statehood, including the United Nations," McCormack said.

"We support Taiwan's inclusion, as appropriate, in international organizations that do not require statehood for membership," he said.

Despite the US' warnings against holding the poll, Taipei has vowed to proceed with the referendum.

Taiwan "presidential" spokesman David Lee said yesterday that preparations for the referendum have already begun, including obtaining the one million signatures needed to get the issue on the ballot in one of the island's two upcoming elections.

"The first stage in this process has started," Lee said.

"We have already started to collect the signatures."

On Monday, Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian said that he hoped Taiwan could hold the referendum on UN membership during either the upcoming "legislative" poll in January 2008 or the "presidential" election two months later.

Xinhua and agencies

(China Daily 06/21/2007 page3)