The DPP and New Party agreed yesterday to work together to eradicate "black gold" politics and push forward constitutional reform.
In addition, the two sides agreed to cooperate in resolving the murder case of a navy admiral and the recently emerged scandal involving trading in fixed-line shares by legislators.
The agreements came yesterday after DPP chairman Frank Hsieh (
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
"The New Party has proclaimed publicly that none of its legislators are connected to the illegal fixed-line share trading," said Hao Lung-bin (
Hsieh said that any DPP members involved in the trading would be exposed.
The DPP and New Party also proposed forming a cross-party Constitution task force (
Hsieh further suggested that a conference on national affairs could be convened to address these concerns.
President Chen Shui-bian (
Observers have said opposition parties have so far not agreed to meet with Chen in an attempt to stonewall the new administration.
When asked whether the New Party cared about its absence at the planned meeting, Hao said that he felt sorry, but it was acceptable.
"If three major parties whose presidential candidates had competed in serious conflicts during the election wish to reconcile at the meeting, we couldn't agree more," Hao said.
Hao said that if constitutional reforms were on the agenda, the New Party should play a part.
Hsieh downplayed the question by saying he will bring this issue to president Chen today when they meet.
Hsieh is scheduled to meet with KMT Chairman Lien Chen (
Both the DPP and KMT have said the meeting is a friendly one without a set agenda.
PFP Secretary-General Chung Jung-chi (鍾榮吉), however, said that since Lien had declined to attend the roundtable meeting hosted by President Chen, Lien intended to undercut Chen by endorsing Hsieh.
"If that is the KMT's strategy, to sow discord and conflict between Chen and Hsieh, they really don't understand the DPP," said Wu Nai-jen (
Wu said the DPP is accustomed to different opinions from various party members, but a consensus will always be made and every party member will follow it.
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