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Tang bows out with president's blessing

Premier Tang Fei's resignation request on grounds of poor health was accepted yesterday. It was stressed at the same time that his stepping down had nothing to do with the controversy over the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. PHOTO: CHUANG CHUNG-LUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Tang Fei (唐飛) yesterday became the shortest-serving premier in Taiwan's history, after offering his resignation to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁). It was a request Chen was obliged to accept.

A source at the Presidential Office told the Taipei Times that Vice Premier Chang Chung-hsiung (張俊雄) is to replace Tang, and that a Cabinet reshuffle is to take place.

"Recent legislative question-and-answer sessions and other administrative affairs have worn me out. I have resigned, and the president has accepted the fact. I shall be leaving my post tomorrow," Tang said last night at a press conference after meeting with the president. He thanked the president for his understanding.

Last night Minister of Finance Shea Jia-dong (許嘉棟) announced that from today the 7 percent floor limit of daily stock drops will be cut to 3.5 percent

Tang added that over the past three to four weeks, he had made offers to resign from his post during private weekly meeting with the president. Chen, however, did not entertain those requests, Tang said.

This is the second time that Tang has publicly offered his resignation. The last time he did so was in the wake of the Pachang Creek (八掌溪) incident.

During the tragedy, four riverbed workers were washed away by rising floodwaters while awaiting a rescue helicopter which never arrived.

The Presidential Office last night called a press conference to relay the president's comments on the matter.

"After previously declining to accept Tang's resignation, the president has decided that it would be better for Tang, his wife and all the people of Taiwan if he were to give up his post as premier," said acting secretary-general to the Presidential Office, Chen Che-nan (陳哲男).

"Therefore, the president has granted Tang's request upon compassionate grounds," the spokesman said, adding that Chen was very grateful for the premier's assistance over the past four months.

He added that the president hoped Tang could again serve his country after resting for a while.

Tang said yesterday that his resignation had nothing to do with the controversial Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, but that the nuclear issue had indeed posed a great challenge to the "Chen-Tang administration."

Political observers had previously speculated that Tang would quit over the issue sooner or later.

Editor-in-chief of the Taipei Times Antonio Chiang (司馬文武), however, argued that Tang did not quit over the nuclear controversy, or for health reasons.

"Tang realized that his mission to maintain political stability [during the transfer of power] was complete, and therefore it was time to step down. The main reason he resigned was because he was aware that he lacked financial and economic expertise -- the Cabinet's top administrative priorities, Chiang said."

Chiang added that if Tang were to continue as premier, other obstacles would arise to hinder the Chen-Tang administration and neither would benefit from such an extended political relationship

Meanwhile, Tang's resignation cast further doubt on the future of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.

In the wake of Tang's resignation, KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) both called for urgent meetings within their parties.

"The president violates the spirit of the ROC Constitution, disrespects the premier's power, and ignores the expectations of the people. That is why Tang stepped down," KMT spokesman Jason Hu (胡志強) said at a press conference last night, adding the KMT was satisfied with Tang's performance as premier.

"Tang's resignation has brought about an unprecedented constitutional crisis and political instability," Soong said at a press conference.

Meanwhile, financial officials last night said that the National Stabilization Fund (國安基金) has been activated to dampen any stock market instability due to Tang's resignation.

Military spokesman Huang Sui-sheng (黃穗生) added that the military would also keep a close eye on the cross-strait situation.

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