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Lien offers pledge at KMT party congress

"The Berlin Airlift in 1948 could possibly work as framework for direct cross-strait links."

Lien Chan, KMT chairman

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) yesterday pledged to restore Taiwan's past glory, pride and economic achievements as the blue-camp's presidential campaign kicked into full gear.

In a speech delivered at the KMT's 16th National Party Congress, Lien said his election to the nation's highest office would bring the unemployment rate to below 4 percent, push economic growth over 5 percent within four years and balance the government's budget within six.

Lien also promised to increase per capita national income to US$16,000 (NT$544,000).

Lien also said that the 1948 Berlin Airlift could form a basis for transport links with China.

"The Berlin Airlift in 1948 could possibly work as framework for direct cross-strait links," Lien said without elaborating.

Lien was referring to the Soviet Union's blockade of West Berlin in 1948 that prompted the US and its allies to undertake a vast airlift to keep the isolated German city supplied with food and fuel.

The airlift continued until May 1949, when the Soviets lifted the blockade.

Lien also took the opportunity to criticize the DPP government's record in office, accusing the ruling party of incompetence and irresponsibility.

"A second transfer of power next March is needed because it will serve as an opportunity for the DPP to engage itself in introspection and to comprehend what political responsibility means," Lien said.

In an effort to showcase pan-blue unity in the run up to next March's presidential election, the KMT invited the PFP chairman, and Lien's running mate, James Soong (宋楚瑜) to appear alongside Lien at the event's opening ceremony yesterday.

Soong had earlier said he would be unable to attend the event because he would be out of the country. The PFP leader, however, returned to Taiwan yesterday morning.

Soong's appearance at the congress yesterday marked the first time he has attended a formal KMT event since he was kicked out of the party in 1999.

Soong was ousted from the KMT for running in the 2000 presidential election against KMT nominee Lien. Soong founded the PFP in March 2000 after failing to win the presidency.

In their speeches, both Lien and Soong said that the KMT-PFP partnership was not formed so the two parties could divvy up the spoil of offices -- so called "booty sharing" -- but to share the burden of responsibility to lead the nation to a better tomorrow.

During the congress, the pairing of the two on a joint ticket was formally approved by the members of congress.

The announcement of the Lien-Soong ticket was presided over by KMT Vice Chairman Vincent Siew (蕭萬長), Lien's running mate in the 2000 presidential race.

The congress yesterday was entertained by young hip-hop performers -- a move aimed at countering the depiction of 67-year-old Lien and 61-year-old Soong as a couple of old men.

Against the backdrop of the alliance's campaign logo -- two figures riding on a tandem bicycle -- the two presidential nominees ended their speeches by shouting "elected" in a chorus echoed by their flag-waving supporters.

The congress reached another crescendo when later in the afternoon 210 newly elected members of the party's Central Committee voted to fill the 31 spots on the Central Standing Committee.

The committee election this time around was fiercer than ever because if Lien is elected to the Presidential Offices, those on the committee -- the party's highest decision-making body -- will immediately become leading members of the ruling party.
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