Saying that the worst has passed, President Chen Shui-bian (
At a meeting to assess the administration's progress in carrying out the EDAC agreements yesterday, Chen addressed the officials who have been charged with the task of implementing the 322 consensuses reached in the conference last August.
Expressing his satisfaction with fruitful results as well as reflecting on the EDAC's shortcomings, Chen said that though most of the consensuses have been implemented, the public's satisfaction concerning such achievements seems to be far lower than that of officials.
"I myself should reflect on the results if they have not satisfied the public. If the conference had some achievements, to which the public's reaction is contradictory, then we should also reflect on this seriously. If this is the case, I should be most responsible for my faulty leadership," he said.
According to a report released by the government yesterday, 98 percent of the agreements regarding amendments to laws have been implemented, 93 percent of those related to administrative order amendments have been implemented and 99 percent of those related to the implementation of administrative measures have been implemented.
Thirty-four bills still need legislation, while four administrative orders still need to be amended and announced.
Chen said that both the ruling and opposition parties should cooperate with each other to show the strength of party cooperation while implementing the remaining agreements. He called the EDAC a "meaningful, historical meeting" that proved the ruling and opposition parties could cooperate.
Chen said that the consensuses which involve long-term national development projects or amending the Constitution, such as cross-strait direct transport links and government, need to be negotiated before they can be carried out.
"I want to call on both ruling and opposition parties again to reconcile and show the power of cooperation," Chen said.
He said the results of the conference demonstrate the government's determination to boost the economy.
Vice Premier Lin Hsin-yi (林信義) said yesterday that the government still has many areas in which it can improve. He said it needs to restore public confidence in the economy, reduce unemployment and encourage investment in Taiwan.
As for direct transport links with China, Chairwoman of the Mainland Affairs Council Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday that the council would continue to work toward the policy's realization.
In the meantime, Tsai said "we are evaluating alter measures to reduce cost of indirect transportation with China." She declined to elaborate.
"Our determination to push for direct transport links between Taiwan and China would not be influenced by the political atmosphere between the two sides of the Strait. We're still working on it. Part of the plan will be included in the amendments of the law governing cross-strait affairs which will be sent to the legislature for review in September."
See story:
EDAC anniversary a time to reflect
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