More talks mooted before Chen's new Cabinet is named

As the nation's press continues to speculate over who will be invited to join the Cabinet, President-elect Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) insisted yesterday that a finalized list will not be announced until he has talked with premier-select Tang Fei (唐飛) and Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲), the head of his National Policy Advisory Committee.

Among the current reported front runners, DPP Secretary-general Yu Hsi-kun appears to be one of the early favorites to take over as vice premier under Tang.

Chen Che-nan (陳哲男), the deputy mayor of Tainan City, is meanwhile being considered a likely choice for the post of Cabinet Secretary-general.

Chen, who served as the Taipei city government's secretary-general under Chen Shui-bian, also holds close personal ties with the Tang family -- having been a classmate of Tang's wife, Chang Ming-tsuan (張明燦).

As a result, he is considered the ideal person to liaise between Chen and Tang.

Chen's team of national policy advisors has indicated that Tang would enjoy total discretion as to who will fill the vacancies in the premier's office.

Among DPP women legislators, Fan Hsun-lu (范巽綠), Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭), Wong Chin-chu (翁金珠), and Chou Chin-yu (周清玉) are considered to be likely members of the newly formed Cabinet.

According to guidelines set by Chen, women must make up at least one-fourth of the total members in the Cabinet.

Most of the heads of Taiwan's national security and police organizations are reportedly being asked to stay on.

This measure is likely to be taken to ensure stability and security during the transition of the new administration.

However, it has not been confirmed as yet how many of these officials have agreed to stay on after May 20, when Chen is inaugurated.