ECFA Debate Finalized: Ma, Tsai to Cross Swords

ECFA Debate Finalized: Ma, Tsai to Cross Swords
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
April 2, 2010

In response to public expectations, the ruling and opposition parties have finally come to an agreement. They will debate the cross-Strait Economic Framework Agreement (ECFA) before the end of April. The debate will be covered on public television. This is the first time the ruling and opposition parties have held an open debate on major policy. It is a momentous occasion. The debate will not necessarily allow the ruling and opposition parties to sing the same tune or resolve their differences. But it will at least enable them to take a first step towards rational policy debate. We now have a chance to engage in rational discussion of major policy issues, rather than empty name-calling.

To ascertain whether the public wants a debate on ECFA, the Want Want China Times Media Group conducted two opinion polls during the last half month. Real world data would let government and opposition leaders know that the public has had it with politicians indifferent to right and wrong. The polls showed that 70% of the public favored a government vs. opposition debate. Over 90% of Green Camp supporters favored a debate. Ruling and opposition leaders realized they had no choice but to debate. The DPP and the Presidential Office each set preconditions for the debate. But both parties realized they could no longer drag their feet or dodge the issue, no matter what excuses they might offer.

Although the Want Want Media Group promoted the debate, it will be hosted by the public television network. This is a highly positive development. The Public Broadcasting System is the head of public television. It ought to assume a leading role. Since it was launched, public television has held many large-scale election debates, and is well qualified to provide a public platform. A public platform will allow the ruling and opposition political parties and their media allies to lower their guards, to cross Blue vs. Green barriers, and allow the debate to proceed smoothly.

Past experience and mutual trust within the broadcasting industry will enable the first major policy debate on Taiwan to take place. Government and opposition leaders will personally cross swords. The debate should be a lively one. President Ma Ying-jeou and Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Tsai Ing-wen, as well as their parties, their think tanks, and their policy advisors will have to make thorough preparations.

The debate over ECFA involves policy positions held by the government and the opposition. The pressure felt by both sides will be considerable. The media will also be under great pressure. This will not be like previous election debates. The two sides' political tactics, their party lines, their candidate images, and even their family backgrounds may become grist for the mill. The debate may become very technically oriented, or may not. ECFA is a highly technical issue. The media must do its homework. Media standards on Taiwan have undeniably deteriorated. Scandal-mongering and name-calling are the norm. Little space remains for serious policy discussion. When ruling and opposition leaders focus on a major policy issue, the media must not reflexively express support or opposition based on preconceived ideology. The media must not pass judgment on the merits and demerits of the arguments based on comfortable assumptions. Scholars and experts, both on location and off, will be essential participants in this debate.

We hope that members of the public on Taiwan, whether they wanted this debate or not, will welcome the arrival of an era of more mature and rational policy debate. Supporters and opponents of ECFA must understand that the debate is not a Legislative Yuan session. In the Legislative Yuan a Third Reading vote without objections means a final resolution. The debate on the other hand, is merely an opportunity for the two sides to lay their cards on the table and see what the other has. A policy debate might not enable you to convert me to your way of thinking, but at least it will enable me to understand how you think.

Following the debate, the Ma administration will still sign ECFA with the other side in June, according to schedule. The framework agreement is nothing more than a table of contents. The details outside the agreement however, include the early harvest list, and whether it will provide better terms for our side. The debate may reveal whether the government has paid sufficient attention to the details, and give it a chance to make adjustments. Meanwhile, the Democratic Progressive Party is preparing to use its ECFA referendum as a major plank in its election platform. It is unlikely to alter its position as a result of the debate. It will continue to push for a referendum. It is not about to change its mind and support the government. But the debate will at least provide an opportunity for the DPP to set aside its reunification vs. independence political rhetoric, and evaluate the pros and cons of government policy on their own merits, and not reflexively resorting to "Selling out Taiwan!" name-calling.

Nearly two years have passed since the second change in ruling parties. President Ma Ying-jeou and Chairman Tsai Ing-wen will finally meet. Their meeting will be a war of words. But the public has great expectations. Politics is not a dinner party. Harsh exchanges will be unavoidable. Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen are both educated and gracious individuals. Neither is about to attack the other's family background. These two professors cum political leaders are policy wonks. Their enthusiasm for policy is far greater than their enthusiasm for politics. Ma and Tsai are unlikely to resort to emotional attacks on the podium. This will enable them to set an example for other politicians, and to show that one need not become red in face with outrage and sputter with apoplexy while debating sensitive issues. After the two cross swords, we hope that whenever any future policy disputes arise, President Ma and Chairman Tsai will calmly and confidently say to the other: What reasons can you offer for your position? What's wrong with what I said? Allow us to be clear. There is no need for fisticuffs, either in the legislature or on the streets.

中時電子報 新聞
中國時報 　2010.04.02
社論－ECFA辯論敲定 期許雙英交鋒
本報訊

在民意期待聲中，朝野終於敲定，兩岸經濟架構合作協議（ＥＣＦＡ）辯論會將在四月底前進行辯論，相關事宜由公共電視台處理。這是朝野第一次就重大政策公開辯論，意義非比尋常。儘管朝野在辯論之後，未必就能水乳交融，化解歧見；但是，邁開政策辯論的第一步，就有機會讓台灣就重大政策理性討論，而非口水謾罵。

為了ＥＣＦＡ辯論與否，旺旺中時媒體集團從去年到最近半個多月，做了兩次民意調查，以實際數據告訴朝野領導人，民眾已經對不問是非的政治攻詰忍耐到極限。民意調查顯示，高達六成七的民眾贊成朝野辯論，綠營支持者的贊成度更在九成以上；讓朝野領袖都體認：終須一辯。雖然在過程中，不論是民進黨或總統府，都對辯論這件事提出不同的前提和條件，但是，最後兩方都能了解，民意的催促已使辯論不能再用任何說詞拖延或逃避。

儘管，辯論是由旺旺中時媒體集團倡議，最終由公視主辦，這也是極好的結果。做為公廣集團的龍頭，公視理應擔當重任。事實上，公共電視自開播以來，也多次舉辦大型選舉辯論會，相當稱職地扮演公共平台的角色，讓朝野政黨與媒體跨越藍綠和同業競爭的心防，折衝調和促成辯論會順利進行。

累積過去的經驗和同業間的互信，這一次籌辦台灣首見的重大政策辯論會，且由朝野領導人親上火線，辯論會精采可期。相信不論是馬英九總統或者民進黨主席蔡英文，以及雙方背後的智庫與政策幕僚，都會做好最完全的準備。

ＥＣＦＡ辯論會涉及朝野堅持的政策立場，辯論雙方壓力都不小；同樣的，媒體壓力也很大。因為不同於過去的選舉辯論會，兩方政治攻防，從政黨路線、候選人形象、乃至家族背景，都是可以交鋒的重點；可以很專業，也可以不專業；ＥＣＦＡ則是高度專業的政策議題，媒體也得做足功課。不容諱言，台灣媒體生態惡化，八卦口水當道，政策討論在媒體環境中空間有限；當朝野領導人為了重大政策進行焦點攻防時，媒體再不能以僵化的意識形態贊成或反對；對兩方論辯依據也得熟悉，才能據以評斷優劣。因此，學者專家在這場辯論會也是不可或缺的，不論是場中提問或者場外評點。

當然，我們更希望台灣社會、所有贊成、不贊成辯論的民眾，都要更成熟地迎接理性辯論政策的時代到來。支持或反對兩岸簽署ＥＣＦＡ的民眾都要了解，辯論會不是立法院會，三讀無異議或表決就有一個終極解決方案；辯論會是把雙方立場端出檯面，彼此檢視。辯論會無法做到政策說服，但至少要做到：你說服不了我，但我理解你的想法。

辯論會結束之後，可以想見，馬政府還是會在六月依既定時程與對岸簽署ＥＣＦＡ；架構協議內容本身只是綱要，差別不大。但，在架構協議之外的細節磋商，包括早收清單等能不能再爭取更有利於我方的條件，或者經過辯論會看到哪些是政府思慮不夠細密之處，還有機會調整。同樣的，準備以ＥＣＦＡ公投做為選舉主議題的民進黨，不大可能因為辯論會而放棄既有立場，應會繼續發動公投連署；更不可能因為一場辯論會，就態度丕變，大力支持政府與對岸簽署ＥＣＦＡ。但，辯論會至少有機會讓民進黨改變唯統獨論的政治語言，以政策利弊評價政府施政，而非動輒以「賣台」帽子框架台灣民意和政策走向。

二次政黨輪替快兩年，馬英九總統和蔡英文主席終於能聚首，雖然是在一個言詞交鋒的辯論會上，還是讓人無限期待。政治不是請客吃飯，寒暄問暖確實可免；以馬英九和蔡英文的學養與風度，都不是會揭人祖宗八代瘡疤之人；相反的，兩位教授型的政治領袖，對政策的熱情，都遠高過對政治的執迷，馬、蔡兩人在辯論場上，顯然不會出現過去選舉舞台上的激情詰亢，正可以給台灣政治人物一個範例，談事論理不必臉紅脖子粗。交鋒過後，我們更期待未來碰到任何重大政策爭議，馬總統與蔡主席都能理直氣壯地跟對方說一句：你的道理在哪？我說的有什麼不對？咱們把話講清楚，不必在立法院或街頭打架。