Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) announced yesterday that she has no intention of running for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chair in the Jan. 15 by-election.
"I've never had any intention of entering the DPP chairmanship election. I only want to help party members conduct the election in a fair manner," Lu, said yesterday in a written statement issued by the DPP's culture and publicity department.
Lu also said in the statement that instead of entering the race, she was more interested in seeing the DPP elect a new leader who can "help revitalize the party, accelerate democratic reform and also help Taiwan meet all the challenges presented by globalization."
"As acting chairwoman, I will work with party members to improve the party's discipline, integrity and overall spirit," her statement read.
Lu was nominated as acting chairwoman during a DPP Central Standing Committee earlier this month after former chairman Su Tseng-chang (
Lu already created a stir earlier this week after announcing her intention to resign as acting chair but then deciding to stay in the post. Facing speculation that she may run for the chairmanship election, Lu clarified the issue yesterday with her statement.
Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Chai Trong-rong (
"The DPP suffered a major setback in the elections because it has failed to insist on the ideals of `Taiwan first' and integrity first ? that is why I have decided to step forward and fight for a better future for Taiwan," he said yesterday while filling out the registration form and presenting the required deposit of NT$1.5 million (US$44,776) at the party's headquarters.
Presidential Office Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun, who Thursday made public his decision to run in the race, said yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had already approved his resignation.
The party's chairmanship election promises to be a hotly-contested race with several DPP heavyweights expected to be among the candidates.
DPP Secretary-General Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) said party members who are interested in running for the post will be able to register from tomorrow until Dec. 20. A review of candidates' qualifications will be held on Dec. 21.
The results of the election will be announced on Jan. 18, Lee said.
A televised debate between the candidates is also scheduled.
In related news, an open letter addressed to all DPP members from former party chairman Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) yesterday said that it was inappropriate for those who have already served as either president, vice president, premier or DPP chairman to run in the Jan. 15 chairmanship race.
DEFENSE: The first set of three NASAMS that were previously purchased is expected to be delivered by the end of this year and deployed near the capital, sources said Taiwan plans to procure 28 more sets of M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as nine additional sets of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), military sources said yesterday. Taiwan had previously purchased 29 HIMARS launchers from the US and received the first 11 last year. Once the planned purchases are completed and delivered, Taiwan would have 57 sets of HIMARS. The army has also increased the number of MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) purchased from 64 to 84, the sources added. Each HIMARS launch pod can carry six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, capable of
Tropical Storm Podul strengthened into a typhoon at 8pm yesterday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, with a sea warning to be issued late last night or early this morning. As of 8pm, the typhoon was 1,020km east of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost tip, moving west at 23kph. The storm carried maximum sustained winds of 119kph and gusts reaching 155kph, the CWA said. Based on the tropical storm’s trajectory, a land warning could be issued any time from midday today, it added. CWA forecaster Chang Chun-yao (張竣堯) said Podul is a fast-moving storm that is forecast to bring its heaviest rainfall and strongest
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TRAJECTORY: The severe tropical storm is predicted to be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday, and would influence the nation to varying degrees, a forecaster said The Central Weather Administration (CWA) yesterday said it would likely issue a sea warning for Tropical Storm Podul tomorrow morning and a land warning that evening at the earliest. CWA forecaster Lin Ting-yi (林定宜) said the severe tropical storm is predicted to be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday. As of 2pm yesterday, the storm was moving west at 21kph and packing sustained winds of 108kph and gusts of up to 136.8kph, the CWA said. Lin said that the tropical storm was about 1,710km east of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost tip, with two possible trajectories over the next one
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