SEF head rumored to become premier

Speculation mounted yesterday that Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) would be named premier in the wake of Su Tseng-chang's (蘇貞昌) sudden resignation.

Chang -- who served as premier under President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) from late 2000 to mid-2002 -- was staying low-key about the rumors and declined to confirm he would take the post.

After Su announced he would step down on Saturday, Chinese-language media reported that Chang had been chosen to take his place.

"Before President Chen announces the name of the new premier, I think it is not appropriate for anyone to speculate [about who will replace Su] at this time," Chang said yesterday as he made his way to church.

Chang also declined to say whether Chen had consulted him about taking over the premiership.

However, he did say he was confident the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) would overcome any difficulties.

"During the 2000 presidential campaign, no one thought that President Chen would win, but [the DPP] overcame difficulties and made it after all," Chang said, reminding reporters that he had served as the general campaign manager for Chen in 2000.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) -- who also served on Chen's campaign team in 2000 -- was rumored to be Chen's choice for deputy premier.

"I think the president will think about how to extend the rule of the Taiwanese in the 2008 presidential election," Chang said.

Chang is a legislator-at-large for the DPP and has also served as SEF chairman since June 2005.

The SEF is a semi-official organization that handles with cross-strait affairs and serves Taiwanese businesspeople, students and tourists in China in emergencies.

Meanwhile, a casually dressed Su was cornered by the press as he moved out of the premier's residence on Jinhua Street in Taipei.

When he arrived at his private apartment in Xinsheng N Road, Su said he did not want to speak to the media. He then wished everyone a happy Mothers' Day, and said he wished all mothers would be respected and honored by their children.

Former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) was also tight-lipped yesterday, but he dismissed rumors that Su had resigned his premiership because Hsieh preferred DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun or former acting Kaohsiung mayor Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭) to lead the Cabinet.

Hsieh is the DPP's de facto presidential candidate.

Approached by reporters in Yunlin County yesterday, Hsieh said: "It is not true [that I forced Su from office]. It is simply a rumor."

He said Chen did not consult him on who should be the next premier.

The rumors were the result of a story in the Chinese-language China Times, which claimed that Hsieh had suggested the Cabinet reshuffle to Chen after he won the DPP's presidential primary early this month. The story said Hsieh wished to establish a Cabinet with Yu as premier and Yeh as deputy premier in order to form a "Hsieh-Yu Alliance."

The report named no sources and presented speculation as verifiable fact.

"I had been attending a religious ceremony in the mountains, so I did not learn of [Su's resignation] until after the fact. I felt very surprised to see all the changes in the political situation," he said.

Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Gao Jyh-peng (高志鵬) told the press that he thought Su's chances of running on the ticket with Hsieh in next year's presidential election increased had increased since Su stepped down.