Chen's office says no deal with Soong

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has neither discussed forming a coalition government with the People First Party nor offered the post of premier to its chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), officials from the Presidential Office said yesterday.

The two met on July 17 so Chen could invite Soong to serve as vice chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Conference.

The meeting has led to speculation that the DPP government may align with the PFP after the year-end elections, with Soong serving as the nation's premier.

"They may have exchanged opinions about many issues," Yu Shyi-kun, secretary-general of the Presidential Office yesterday. "But the president did not talk about the premiership."

KMT lawmaker Liao Fung-te (廖風德) said last week that Chen has promised Soong the premiership. In addition, Liao said that Soong told KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) at an Aug. 23 meeting that he intended to accept Chen's invitation after the year-end legislative elections.

Yu said yesterday that the primary purpose of the "Bian-Soong meeting" was so that Chen could invite Soong to serve at the economic conference.

Yu also confirmed that Chen visited Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) on Thursday to personally invite the former president to the Sept. 27 wedding of his daughter, Chen Hsing-yu (陳幸妤).

According to a source in the Presidential Office, at the meeting Chen told Lee that he hadn't promised someone the premiership and wasn't committed to any choice.

"Chen said that there were many possibilities after the year-end legislative elections and there are many different possible scenarios for realignment of the political parties," the source said.

Chen also explained to the former president the government's reasons for relaxing cross-strait trade policy, in particular "no haste, be patient," which was developed by Lee.

"President Chen told the former president that the government's change ... was based on consideration for the global market, and that the government's new policy would continue to maintain the spirit of strict management," according to the source.

"Lee just reminded Chen of the possible risks of investing in the China market," the source said.

Yu said yesterday that Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) will remain the government's No. 1 choice for the job following the elections.

"Premier Chang is doing better and better," Yu said. "He is still the first choice."

Yu also said that the Cabinet would be focused on turning around the nation's economy after the elections.

"Promoting competitiveness in the global economic market is currently the most important issue facing all democratic countries," Yu said.

"More economic experts will be invited to join the Cabinet" after the elections, Yu said.

During a TV interview on Thursday night, Yu offered a glimpse of the government's thinking, saying it wants to "form an economics Cabinet."

Yu yesterday also echoed the president's remarks that there were many possible scenarios after the year-end elections, saying "an economics expert would be first choice as new premier" in a coalition government.