KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and his PFP counterpart James Soong (宋楚瑜) met yesterday to discuss technical details on cooperation between their two parties over fielding a joint ticket for next year's presidential election.
The two party leaders reached consensus details concerning pooling campaign resources, personnel to be involved with the joint campaign and the timeframe over which their campaign activities would be launched.
No details were given of these agreements, however.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
"We have exchanged views on all matters concerning the KMT-PFP partnership, such as structures of the alliance, personnel to serve on the KMT-PFP Alliance Policymaking Committee and a timetable for the campaign agenda," Lien said at a press conference following the meeting.
"If we decide and announce right away who will take what posts, then outsiders will criticize us saying our partnership is all about divvying up of the spoils of office," Lien said.
Details would be made known to the public after party members had been consulted for opinions and suggestions, Lien said.
According to the memo, the policy-making committee will serve to thrash out issues relating to cooperation between the two parties and will be co-chaired by both Lien and Soong.
Soong said that details would be made known to the public at the end of this month at the latest.
The committee is to be composed of six people from each party. Media speculation suggests that Lien, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
At the press conference, Lien dismissed media speculation that Legislative Yuan vice speaker Chiang Ping-kun's assumption of a party vice chairmanship was to pave the way for his future appointment as premier if the KMT-PFP ticket wins the presidential election.
Last Sunday, the KMT congress approved Lien's selection of Chiang to fill the party vice chairmanship post left vacant by the retiring Chiang Chung-ling (蔣仲苓).
"It is too early to talk about personnel for the Cabinet," Lien said. "Chiang's assumption of the party vice chairmanship was simply so as to be able to utilize his talent and expertise in economic affairs."
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