The United States' top envoy for Taiwan relations Raymond Burghardt expressed concern over the planned referendum on Taiwan's UN bid during his visit. The referendum is planned to be held alongside presidential elections in March next year. It would ask the people if they support Taiwan's applying to the United Nations under the name "Taiwan".

American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Burghardt met with the president Monday during his visit to Taiwan. In a meeting with the press Tuesday, he expressed concern over the referendum's impact on the new president:

"The new president of Taiwan, no matter whether it is Hsieh Ch'ang-t'ing or Ma Ying-jeou -- and we are prepared to work with either one -- we have no preferences between the two. But regardless of who wins, he deserves to be his own man, and he will have a chance to come up with new ideas of how to deal with cross-strait relations. He shouldn't be boxed in by statements people might make now or actions they take now. The referendum isn't fair to the new president of Taiwan. Just the process of having the referendum will make it harder for the new president of Taiwan to develop better relations across the Taiwan Strait. If it passes it will be even harder for the new president of Taiwan to get off on the right foot. That isn't fair to the new president. It isn't going to accomplish anything in changing Taiwan's international status. All it does is cause trouble."

President Chen Shui-bian insists however that the referendum does not go against his inaugural promises to not declare independence or change the national title. Chen explained Monday why the referendum must go on:

"[The UN referendum] was initiated by the people, a grass-roots signature drive. So as the president and the government, we cannot brush it aside or veto it. Taiwan is a democratically ruled country. Everything will go by the constitution and the referendum laws."

The president also said Monday that there were two goals of the referendum. The first is to let the people of Taiwan express to the world their desire to enter international organizations. The second is to resolve the rivalry with China for UN representation. In the past, Taiwan applied for UN entry under the name "Republic of China".

In an interview with the Associated Press, Chen said Tuesday that the US was a faithful ally but was misinterpreting the spirit of the referendum. He also said that he would not declare independence or do something else unexpected during the election season.