Flabbergasted. Open-mouthed with astonishment. Gobsmacked. Such was our reaction to the news yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian
Hau was looking pleased with himself on the TV news last night as he described his terms for taking up the job -- principally that under no circumstances would he move against the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant
The more interesting question is why Chen would want Hau in the job. Surely not because he can't find anybody capable among the ranks of his own party; environmental protection is one of the few areas in which the DPP is actually over-qualified. Obviously this is a sop to the opposition, but why?
Frankly, we can only speculate. We recall that Kim Dae-jung in South Korea allied himself in the early days of his presidency with the ultra-conservative Kim Jong-pil as the only way to keep his minority government afloat. Could Chen be adopting this "Same bed, different dreams" tactic? But why choose the totally unimportant New Party when that pragmatic opportunist Soong could be in a deal-making mood? Could Chen really be thinking that by co-opting some of the opposition onto the government's side he is going to be able to divide and rule? Such tactics are useful in dealing with dissent within a political party -- they were used to excellent effect by former president Lee Teng-hui
If a job offer to Hau is part of a political ploy by Chen then we confess it is too subtle for us to see it. And that is in itself a reason why Chen should be cautious. If we can't see it, probably neither can the man in the street. What he sees instead is yet more proof of Chen's capacity to betray his principles.
To make someone absolutely opposed to a key DPP policy -- halting the nuclear plant -- into environmental protection administrator is just another slap in the face by Chen to his own party. And remember that the power plant issue isn't resolved. Far from it. The Control Yuan is still examining the validity of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the plant. Should this be found legally wanting -- and the case for this is, we think, extremely good -- then an EPA head is needed who will take action on this illegality, something which Hau seems already to have ruled out.
None of this is going to win votes for the DPP in December, especially not from grateful former New Party supporters who will vote to a man for Soong while traditional DPP supporters are likely to stay home. The disillusion with Chen becomes deeper and more bitter with every day that passes.
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