President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen added that with this focus the DPP could become the largest party in Legislative Yuan and help create the stability needed to continue Taiwan's political reform.
"The ruling party's enemy is neither its own members nor any particular political party," Chen said, "it's black gold, which all Taiwanese thoroughly detest."
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen's remarks during a luncheon with DPP lawmakers yesterday not only launched a campaign slogan, but also pointed to the DPP's election strategy to avoid direct competition with the opposition.
"The DPP's campaign theme hopes to avoid squandering opportunities for cooperation with other political parties," said one senior DPP faction leader. "The president's comments take into consideration the possibility of organizing a coalition government if the DPP still fails to win the majority of seats in the legislative election."
During the luncheon Chen encouraged DPP lawmakers to bring more "democracy," "progress," and "peace" to cross-strait relations.
"Our political rivals always attack the DPP's advocacy for the future of Taiwan, and have even played the `terror card' (
"The transfer of power, however, proves that the DPP can create new opportunities for breakthroughs in cross-strait relations, something the KMT has failed to do over the past five decades," Chen said.
He stressed that the government insisted on maintaining both national security and people's rights and would deal with the cross-strait issue with courage and wisdom.
Chen said he therefore expected the DPP to win the coming election to help the Cabinet implement its policies in the Legislative Yuan.
"And the DPP will become the biggest party after the election, which will keep two arms of the government [the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan] cooperating with one another, and then Taiwan can eliminate black gold completely in 2001," Chen said.
Over 40 DPP lawmakers attended the luncheon, vowing to accomplish the goal in a toast to the president.
As to the fierce battle among party members for nomination as legislative candidates, Chen said he would respect the party's nomination mechanism, but he also promised to personally negotiate with faction leaders.
"There are too many party members who want to be nominated, therefore, some of the party's lawmakers complained that Chen's close aides should not join the elections," said DPP legislative caucus leader Hsu Tain-tsair (許添財).
"We did not spend time discussing this issue during the luncheon, but President Chen promised to help negotiate, if necessary," Hsu added.
Lo Wen-chia (
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