｜ The two sides were like parallel lines, failing to meet at any point. The negotiations ended on bad terms. After the meeting, the 100 Action Alliance issued the following statements: 1. The alliance will no longer participate in any amendment taskforce. 2. Whether Article 100 of the Criminal Code should be abolished needs to be publicly debated. 3. Peaceful civil unrest must be decriminalized. Countdown to Anti-Military Parade Demonstration, Support from the Masses Soon, it was October 1. The final countdown had begun for the movement opposing the military parade and Article 100 of the Criminal Code. Under Lee Teng-hui’s instruction, the Executive Yuan announced the establishment of the Criminal Code Article 100 Amendment Task Force. Shih Chi-yang refused to debate the issue publicly on television on the grounds that “only experts can understand legal issues”. In order to continue strengthening mobilization efforts, the alliance planned to make speeches at the campuses of Soochow University, National Chung Hsing University, National Central University, National Taiwan University, and National Cheng Kung University from October 1 to October 7. In particular, the “Anti-Military Parade, AntiArticle 100 of the Criminal Code” speech given at the auditorium of Taipei’s Jinhua Junior High School on October 5 drew an unprecedented crowd of 20 thousand people. The auditorium was overflowing with excited listeners. The KMT’s efforts to “extinguish” the 100 Action Alliance only fanned its flames. Late that night, after the speech at Jinhua Junior High School, the alliance suddenly received a message from the KMT requesting another round of negotiations. Time is of the essence. Lee Chen-yuan, 104 Lin Shan-tien, Chen Shih-meng, and Chang Chungtung headed to Lai Lai Shangri-La Hotel for the second time. On the KMT’s side were Legislator Hung Yu-Chin and Ma Ying-jeou. Soong Chu-yu showed up an hour late. The alliance did not have to insist on abolishing Article 100 of the Criminal Code, said Lin Shan-tien, as long as amendments met the following conditions: 1. Non-violent acts and acts to further peaceful political propositions should not constitute “Offenses Against the Internal Security”. 2. The criteria constituting the use of force or riots to incite civil unrest should be clearly defined. If the KMT could accept these conditions, the alliance would then stop the anti-military parade protests. Soong Chu-yu thought that the alliance had a point. However, Ma Ying-jeou was firmly opposed to the conditions, saying that peaceful civil unrest must not be decriminalized. Ma Ying-jeou even said that people close to the president might still use “peaceful” means to threaten the president and force the president to abdicate with the aim of subverting the government. “Madame Chiang Soong May-ling is probably the only one capable of this!” retorted Chen Shih-meng sarcastically. Both sides remained steadfast in their views, unable to reach a consensus. Negotiations Highlight the Disagreement Between Lee Teng-hui and Hau Pei-tsu It was clear that not even Soong Chu-yu agreed with Ma Ying-jeou’s point. Song and Ma went to the next room to speak privately for a long time. It wasn’t until 3 a.m on the 6th that the two finally ended their secret talk and Ma Ying-jeou stopped objecting. Around 5 a.m., the two sides wrote down the conclusions of their negotiation. Chapter 3 ｜ Protest: The Crucial 20 Days November 23, 1991: President Lee Teng-hui and Premier Hau Pei-tsun seem to talk closely at the National Unification Council meeting. Photographer: Huang Yen-wen Before leaving, Soong Chu-yu said that he would report these conclusions to Premier Hau Pei-tsun the next day and be in touch. The alliance felt that the difference of opinion between Soong and Ma seemed to represent the differing views of Lee Teng-hui and Hau Pei-tsun. Around noon on October 6, Soong Chu-yu called and said that Shih Chi-yang found the terms of the negotiation unacceptable. Afterward, Soong Chu-yu headed to the Linkou Golf Club to report the results of the negotiation to Hau Pei-tsun in person. He was once again rebuffed. It was clear that the administration, controlled by conservative forces headed by Hau Pei-tsun, would not make any concessions. The negotiations had failed. As National Day drew closer, the mainstream faction of the KMT decided to bypass the Executive Yuan and communicate directly with the 100 Action Alliance through the Legislative Yuan. After all, whether Article 100 was amended or abolished, it was all up to the Legislative Yuan. At noon on October 7, the KMT sub-group Brainstorming Breakfast Assembly invited the 100 Action Alliance to meet at Gloria Hotel. Those representing the Brainstorming Breakfast Assembly included four legislators, namely Director Huang Chu-wen, Secretary General Wu Hsin, Liu Hsing-shan, and Lin Chihchia. The alliance was represented by Lee Chen-yuan, Lin Shan-tien, and Chen Shih-meng. 105