Taiwan Asks China to Ban Use of WMD

[Khephra]

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's leader, making a new appeal to China to hold talks, urged the communist giant on Wednesday to ban the development and use of weapons of mass destruction.

President Chen Shui-bian's remarks were also probably directed at the United States -- Taiwan's most likely defender if China ever acts on long-standing threats to attack. Chen needs to convince the United States that he's a flexible negotiator who is trying hard to thaw out relations with China.

In a brief televised address, Chen invited Chinese leaders to a summit and asked Beijing to work with Taiwan to create a code of conduct to avoid military incidents between the rivals.

"The leaders and governments of both sides should grasp this opportunity and use wisdom to open up a good window of opportunity to create a foundation of peace and happiness for the people," he said.

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