Taipei, Sept. 27 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian beat the drum for referendum Saturday, describing it as an inherent right of the people.
Speaking at the opening of a symposium on referendum, the president said it is a welcome development that referendum, which was considered a threat by the rulers of the past, has become a consensus among the various political parties.
Chen promised that his administration will work out a comprehensive mechanism to make this consensus into a political reality.
Pointing out that many countries have conducted referendums to sound out public opinion on major national policies, the president said referendum is "a right given to people when they are born."