Unfazed by debate over her pro-independence rhetoric, Tokyo-based National Policy Advisor Alice King (金美齡) returned to Taipei yesterday to lend her support to the upcoming World Taiwanese Congress.
King told reporters waiting at the airport she would not consider quitting her post unless asked to by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
PHOTO: TONY K. YAO, TAIPEI TIMES
"Having done a good job, I will not volunteer to step down," King said, as scores of supporters from pro-independence groups chanted, "King, go, go, go!"
A long-time advocate of Taiwan independence, the former political exile, during her previous return 10 days ago, refused to count herself as an official of the Republic of China, saying the country had ceased to exist.
The blunt remarks set off an immediate outcry, with the opposition pressing hard for her dismissal. Chen said later he did not always agree with the views of certain officials, but that he respected their freedom of speech.
The World Taiwanese Congress, formed by more than 90 overseas Taiwanese groups, is set to to begin a series of activities beginning with a reception tonight and culminating in a massive march on Sunday to celebrate Chen's electoral triumph last March.
"We can't stand by witnessing pro-China elements dominate the political stage all the time," said Wang Kang-hou (王康厚), the group's deputy secretary-general. "It is time all Taiwanese worldwide come forward and protect the country's sovereignty."
The president, who has distanced himself from the cause to avoid provoking Beijing, is slated to address the forum tomorrow morning, Wang said.
More than 400 overseas Tai-wanese will take part in the meeting, according to Wang, who added that the DPP has given a lukewarm response to the planned events.
The ruling party, eager to shed its street-fighting image, has shied away from populist movements.
"Stability tops the party's concerns," said DPP lawmaker Shen Fu-hsiung (
Still, infuriated by what they call an abuse of freedom of speech, opposition lawmakers are seeking a legal remedy obliging presidential advisors to pledge their loyalty to the country when they are sworn in.
The proposal, floated by People First Party lawmaker Daniel Huang (黃義交), suggests that senior presidential advisors and national policy advisors should take an oath when assuming office that states they will "faithfully abide by the Constitution and serve the nation."
The bill, already signed by 33 legislators -- three more than necessary -- is expected to draw more support before it is formally introduced later this week or Monday, Huang's aide said.
"We believe it is in the nation's interests that those advisors also undergo the formality required of all political appointees and elected officials," the aide said.
The KMT and the New Party said they would react positively to Huang's bill when it is introduced.
Taking a step further, KMT lawmaker Liu Kuang-hua (劉光華) earlier filed another bill proposing to cut the number of senior presidential advisors from 30 to 10 and national policy advisors from 90 to 20.
Liu contended that both positions, typically filled by retired politicians, have no purpose.
Huang, intent on moving his bill up the legislative calendar, is confident the legislation will be adopted before May 20 when the president is due to name his new advisors.
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