TSU wants state-of-the-nation report

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) legislators yesterday proposed adopting a resolution next Tuesday to ask President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to deliver a state-of-the-nation report at the legislature this fall.

They noted that legislators are entitled to make the request in accordance with the Constitution.

In response, Presidential Office officials said Chen would welcome a chance to advocate his ideas.

Under Article 4 of the additional articles of the Constitution, the legislature may hear a report on the state of the nation by the president when the Legislative Yuan convenes each year.

TSU legislator Su Ying-kuei (蘇盈貴), the initiator of the proposal, said that because the president is elected by the people, the public has a right to know what the president has achieved and what his future plans are.

"The president wields power bestowed upon him by the public so he has to shoulder responsibility by reporting to the highest national assembly," he said.

Su considered it inappropriate for the president to promulgate his ideas on unofficial occasions such as during interviews with the media or when receiving guests.

"Giving a state-of-the-nation report at the legislature would provide him with the best opportunity to advocate his policies and it will likely boost the president's popularity," the lawmaker said.

Before the Constitution was amended in 2000, then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) used to deliver a state-of-the-nation address annually to the National Assembly. Following the report, he would hear suggestions from National Assembly deputies.

After the Constitution was amended, the Legislative Yuan replaced the National Assembly after the latter was downsized in 2000, but the custom wasn't continued.

Controversy hinged on whether the president could be questioned at the legislature. Opposition lawmakers have been particularly opposed to the idea because it may offer Chen a stage on which to promote himself.

Su stressed that the president will only be required to give his report, but not to be questioned by lawmakers, because "the nation's supreme executive official is the premier, not the president."

The only oustanding issue is the timing of such a report.

TSU lawmakers suggested the president deliver his speech either on the anniversary of his inauguration, or prior to the beginning of every legislative session.

Su said the TSU will adopt the resolution at Legislative Yuan next Tuesday, but it would require the endorsement of half of the attending lawmakers for it to be passed.

The DPP legislative caucus had reservations about the TSU's proposal. In particular, DPP lawmakers are concerned that Chen could be humiliated by opposition lawmakers during his report, and called on the TSU to reconsider the issue.

Reversing their previous stance, opposition lawmakers were supportive of the idea yesterday under the condition that "lawmakers can offer suggestions after hearing the report."

James Huang (黃志芳), a spokesman for the Presidential Office, said Chen welcomes and would be grateful for any opportunity to explain to the public his polices.

"If the legislature passes the resolution and regulates how and when the session will take place, the president will attend," Huang noted.