Lee said to broker political alliance

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) met KMT and independent lawmakers recently in a bid to broker a majority alliance in the legislature following the December elections, sources said yesterday.

The KMT, struggling to downplay the simmering internal revolt, cast doubt over the characters of the potential turncoats, with Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) condemning such possible moves as displaying "ingratitude."

Lee, the former KMT chairman, arranged two meetings with KMT and independent legislators on May 25 and June 7 during which he expressed the need to restructure the country's economy and party politics, aides, who requested anonymity, said.

Lee was quoted as saying he was frustrated with the recent inaction of the Legislative Yuan, which he said was caused by a few individualistic lawmakers and terming the possible party realignment after the year-end elections as "positive."

The planned alliance would comprise the DPP legislative caucus and their KMT and independent colleagues who identify with Lee's "Taiwanization" policy as opposed to the pro-China camp, attendants to the meetings said.

Lee, who remains a KMT member but has shunned party activities after stepping aside as chairman, has said that if the DPP can win 85 seats in the legislative polls, up to 35 others will cross over, giving it the majority it needs to pass legislation.

He noted that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has failed to demonstrate vision and leadership in turning the economy around but that given proper help, Chen will improve his performance.

"Let's give him a helping hand," Lee was quoted as urging his visitors.

Aides close to Lee claimed the former president was unhappy with the propaganda the KMT put out on Friday, saying the party appeared to be "glossing over its internal problems."

KMT lawmaker Lin Pin-kun (林炳坤), a Lee loyalist, told reporters Friday that Lee urged all party members to stay united.

Lin, a member of the group that met with Lee earlier this week, added that he doubted the proposed alliance would work, as he questioned the influence Lee would still be able to exert during the election.

"To my knowledge, more independents than KMT colleagues are interested in crossing over," Lin said.

Lee's aides dismissed Lin's talk as a typical political stunt staged by the KMT to maintain the false impression of unity.

In response, KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正) said he was aware of the plans to divide his party but added the KMT would emerge from the challenge unscathed.

"I know for sure no KMT candidate will betray the party," Lin said, calling into question the integrity of colleagues who fail to win nomination for the year-end polls.

To shake off its image of being corrupt, the KMT has introduced an exclusion clause that disqualifies members with disputable backgrounds from seeking elected office.

The KMT chairman seemed less unperturbed, however.

In an address to a college commencement, Lien raised his voice and complained about the prevalence of "ungrateful opportunists."

"Modern society teems with ungrateful opportunists," Lien told his audience. "Once having their way, they turn their back on their helpers."

The traitors, however, will end up forlorn and destitute, he added.

Aides to Lien are particularly displeased with former Minister of the Interior Huang Chu-wen (黃主文), who brokered Lee's meetings with the lawmakers.