Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) isn't trying to undermine the KMT by poaching political talent from the party ahead of the legislative elections, the former president told reporters on his flight to the US yesterday.
Before his Sunday departure, Lee had refused to comment on his possible alliance with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and plans to form a new political party.
Local media have speculated that the former KMT chairman is about to launch a new party and announce a slate of legislative candidates after returning from his 10-day visit to the US.
But during his plane trip yesterday, Lee insisted to reporters that he has no plans to form a new political party.
"The KMT shouldn't be afraid that I'm trying to take people from the party," Lee said.
In addition, Lee said, the DPP shouldn't be afraid its traditional supporter base will be eroded by his efforts to support candidates in the election.
He said he wanted to help stabilize Taiwan's democracy by helping young, talented politicians who are capable of serving in the legislature and maintaining democratic ideals.
Lee also criticized the KMT, saying that most of Taiwan's economic and political problems were caused by the KMT-controlled legislature since it refused to work with Chen's inexperienced minority government.
He added that the country's China policy has been "chaotic," as some KMT heavyweights have been hobnobbing with Chinese leaders -- who have refused to meet with Chen and other DPP members.
In his autobiography, Lee said that the bottom line for Taiwan's policy toward China was his clarification that both countries have "special state-to-state relations."
Arriving in Los Angeles on Sunday evening (US West Coast time), Lee and his wife Tseng Wen-hui (曾文惠) were greeted by hundreds of Taiwanese, who waved US and Taiwanese flags and held up big signs saying, "Welcome Lee Teng-hui." Taiwan's chief representative in the US, Chen Chien-jen (程建人), was also at the airport to greet Lee's group.
But a small group of protesters also carried pro-China placards and chanted, "Lee Teng-hui is corrupt."
Today, Lee is expected to attend a welcome banquet co-organized by over 30 overseas Taiwanese associations in southern California and give a keynote speech on Taiwan's future democratic development.
RSS