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KMT is split on support for the DPP

Internal differences over whether the KMT should support the DPP government in the legislature came to the surface yesterday, with the party's vice chairmen trading arguments over the role of the once-dominant KMT.

Speaking at the party's Central Standing Committee yesterday, Vice Chairman Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) challenged the KMT's decision not to align with the DPP in the legislature.

Siew said the KMT shouldn't be antagonistic in handling its relations with other parties. In addition, he said the KMT shouldn't be misled by rumors that some party members plan to defect to the DPP.

Still reeling from its humiliating losses in Saturday's elections, the KMT has been worried by speculation that pro-Taiwan members of the party may split to support the DPP. Some analysts have said that one reason for the party's setback on Saturday is the pro-China path it has followed under KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰).

Siew said the KMT should behave in a "generous" manner. And for the sake of the public's welfare, the party should help the DPP government get the nation's economy back on track, he said.

But Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄), another KMT vice chairman, took issue with Siew's comments.

Speaking after Siew at yesterday's meeting, Wu said the role of the KMT should be as an "honest" and "loyal" opposition party.

"We must not fall into a trap set by people with intentions to split the KMT just to gain a few positions in the government," Wu said. "At a time such as this, the KMT should form a larger consensus within the party and unite."

Siew, along with Vice Chairman Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), reportedly has been leaning toward supporting the DPP government and keeping close contacts with the KMT's long-time rival.

According to some reports, Siew was among the candidates favored by the DPP for the position of premier when the new legislature convenes in February.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had planned to send Siew as his envoy to last year's APEC summit, but the KMT vetoed the idea.

Siew yesterday argued that the DPP government needs the KMT's economic expertise and that the public expects the party to help out. "The KMT should generously assist the DPP government to develop the economy," he said.

And the fact that the DPP was able to gain the most seats in the legislature -- despite the public's frustration with the DPP over the bad economy -- was a sign that voters weren't happy with the KMT either, Siew said.

Despite Siew's arguments, Lien was not persuaded yesterday. He firmly ruled out the possibility of the KMT forming a coalition government with the DPP.

Lien said the DPP -- with its 87 seats, plus 13 more belonging to the TSU -- should have no problem forming a government.

In addition, Lien said he saw no reason for Chen's proposed "cross-party alliance for national stabilization."

"The KMT will stick firmly to its stance of upholding the Constitution," Lien said. "We see no need and won't join the alliance, and we don't have the will to join a coalition government either."

The KMT chairman said the party should just accept the outcome of Saturday's elections and play the role of a "responsible opposition party." The party will support policies that benefit the public's welfare and oppose those that don't, he said.

In related news, a KMT official said yesterday that Lien had offered to resign after Saturday's election defeat but party members persuaded him to stay.

Lien yesterday accepted blame for the defeat but did not publicly offer to quit.

Later, KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正) told reporters that Lien was ready to resign last weekend but party leaders asked him to stay.

``Most party members feel that he shouldn't step down because he is the core of the KMT leadership,'' Lin said.

Still, a group yesterday calling itself ``the voice of KMT members'' paid for a newspaper advertisement in a leading daily that accused Lien of not facing up to his mistakes and urged him to step down.
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