President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen made the remarks at a general press conference held yesterday at the Presidential Office.
Chen said the public had shown disappointment with the new government over the Pachang Creek (
"If human lives are not made the top priority, tragedies will happen again," Chen said, calling for a thorough overhaul of the emergency reporting and rescue communication channels.
In his inauguration address on May 20, Chen advocated the establishment of a national commission on human rights and yesterday the president again started his speech by stating the government's emphasis on respect for human rights.
"Let the ROC become a part of the international system of human rights ? If international law on human rights is put in place nationally or locally we will make progress in promoting human rights in step with the international community," Chen said, adding that a human rights task force will be formed under the Presidential Office.
Last week, Secretary-General to the President Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) personally delivered invitations to KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) for a round-table meeting at the Presidential Office, but neither has so far accepted the invitation.
Nevertheless, Chen reiterated yesterday his determination to convene the cross-party round-table meeting. "I am willing to go to the KMT's headquarters across the street and personally invite Lien and other party leaders to extend my sincerity and goodwill. Reconciliation among political parties is an important step for alleviating conflicts between the ruling and opposition powers," Chen said.
Chen sought to hold a preparatory meeting for staff beforehand to discuss details and set an agenda for the round-table meeting.
When asked by reporters if Chen had ever considered amending the Constitution to change aspects of the country's semi-presidential system which have led to the current impasse between the government and opposition parties, Chen rejected the possibility.
Instead, the president said it was more feasible to appoint another deputy vice premier to help Premier Tang Fei (
Observers have widely speculated that if a deputy vice premier were appointed, he or she would most likely be a KMT member with a strong background in finance.
The Executive Yuan's Organization Law (
The Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (
During the second presidential press conference yesterday, Chen reassured the public that Tang would carry out a series of reforms on internal affairs beginning next month, including a crackdown on organized crime and political corruption.
"Progress in investigations of corruption and organized crime will be carried through as long as evidence support the case," Chen said.
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