Taiwan's Ma Ying-jeou invites protestors to talks

To end the standoff over a cross-Strait service pact, Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou is willing to hold talks with protesting students, a spokeswoman for Ma's office said on Tuesday.

Ma is prepared to invite representatives of the students to talks over the cross-Strait service pact and listen to their opinions, spokeswoman Li Jia-fei said.

The talks should be held "without any preconditions," Li cited Ma as saying.

Ma has been open to communication even after protesters stormed into the administrative building on Sunday evening, Li said.

Student representative agreed to talks without preconditions but insisted that a detailed discussion was needed on institutionalizing the monitoring of future cross-Strait pacts.

Hundreds of students broke into the legislative chamber in Taipei on March 18, protesting about what they see as undemocratic tactics used by the KMT to ratify the pact and expressing worry about the effect on the local economy.