President Chen Shui-bian (
While both Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (
It is a shame that opposition leaders continue to allow themselves to be hogtied by political gamesmanship, even when it comes to diplomacy which, for Taiwan, is a constant battle in the face of Beijing's unrelenting obstructionism.
Issues such as diplomacy and national security are matters of strong public consensus and should be free from political squabbles.
The opposition leaders should, for the sake of the nation and consolidation of its democracy, put aside their political wrangling to join Chen on his next state visit and assist him in diplomatic efforts.
Ma and Soong, who both once served as English secretary to late president Chiang Ching-kuo (
Now that Chen is willing to share the role of diplomacy that has for so long been the sole preserve of the head of the state, the opposition leaders should welcome his offer out of a sense of national solidarity.
The KMT and the PFP may be reluctant to join Chen because they do not want to help the administration score any points at home or abroad. But such a trip offers both parties the chance to obtain a first-hand understanding of Taiwan's diplomatic situation. It would also serve as experience for a future government.
If Ma, who will assume the helm of the KMT later this month, can accept Chen's invitation with an open mind, it would doubtless help break the stalemate between the government and the opposition parties. It would also help the KMT ditch its image as a party that opposes just for the sake of opposing -- the image it has developed under Chairman Lien Chan (
Ma has said he wants to convince the public that under his leadership, the KMT is turning over a new leaf. But by rejecting Chen's trip out of hand, Ma looks like he is simply walking down the same "anti-Chen" road that Lien has stumbled along for five years. The nation deserves more than that.
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