The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is looking more determined to force President Chen Shui-bian (
KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
"The first lady's relationship with Chen You-hao (
Ma said the KMT caucus will make the final decision on whether to support a recall motion or try to dismiss the Cabinet. However, KMT Taipei City Councilor Lin Yi-hua (林奕華), who is also a member of the Central Standing Committee, later confirmed that the party will make the announcement on the recall proposal today.
The KMT is also initiating a signature drive called "A-bian steps down to save Taiwan" to encourage the public to demand Chen's resignation, and it is planning an anti-Chen rally for Saturday in Kaohsiung -- even though the People First Party (PFP) is sponsoring a similar rally in Taipei that day.
PFP caucus whip Lu Hsueh-chang (
Tseng Yung-chuan (
Lu tried to make the best of the split schedule.
"Despite having different protest rallies, the PFP and KMT have the same goal -- the president has to resign," he said.
Nevertheless, the KMT's decision to hold its own rally has rankled some PFP members.
"[Ma] is just like a runaway doctor. While an expectant mother [the PFP] is going to give birth [Chen resigning as a result of the PFP's protests], the doctor chooses to run away, using a business trip to Kaohsiung as an excuse," PFP Legislator Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄) said.
"I think a runaway doctor is beneath contempt," Liu said.
"Ma and the KMT initially opposed recalling the president. But now, when they realize that such a demand is gradually gaining public support, they have started to change their tune," PFP Legislator Lee Hung-chun (
Some PFP councilors urged Ma to seek pan-blue unity.
"We should work together to organize a cross-party and cross-ethnicity rally and invite everyone who is dissatisfied with Chen Shui-bian to join the protest," Taipei City Council Deputy Speaker Lee Hsin (
However, Hsin, along with Taipei City councilors Huang Shan-shan (
"You were attending an event held by a pan-blue ally, but mobilized a big group of police to protect you. Do you think pan-blue supporters will hurt you?" Huang You-chong asked.
"Last Thursday, you said you would not attend the PFP rally. Were you trying to compete against [PFP] Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜)? Will you come to the PFP's rally this weekend?" Lee asked.
Ma told the councilors that he had changed his mind because the KMT's national convention finished early.
also see story:
Editorial: Time for cooler heads
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