KMT balking at Chen's economic panel

Partisan feuding may again block a cross-party venture envisioned by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to brainstorm policy proposals for the ailing economy, as the KMT insists on party-to-party talks before deciding whether or not to take part.

Chen broached the idea of setting up an economic development committee during a keynote speech aired on May 19 to mark his first year in office. He repeated the idea during a courtesy call on KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) in hospital the next day.

Aides confirmed later that Chen signaled his wish that KMT Vice Chairman and former premier Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) head the economic panel. But Lien, who has been hospitalized with a urinary infection, has said it is better to postpone the discussion until after Chen's return from a trip to Latin America.

Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正), KMT secretary-general, said yesterday the party needed more information from the Presidential Office about the planned committee before forming a definite opinion.

"Given the weight of the matter, it is advisable that a preparatory meeting be held among the different parties beforehand," Lin told reporters after the weekly meeting of KMT Central Standing Committee.

Lin reiterated the KMT's position that cross-party talks should be the means through which to build a consensus for key policy issues and that the Presidential Office is fine-tuning Chen's proposal.

Echoing Lin's caution, Siew said through an aide that it is premature to speculate on his role on the task force, which at best remains a vague idea at this point.

Ay Ho-ping (艾和平), secretary for Siew's office, said no DPP officials have made any contact with Siew, whom he added is devoted to the promotion of a common market across the Taiwan Strait.

"To my knowledge, Mr Siew prefers to stay out of any controversy," Ay said. "It is not his style to challenge party lines."

But another KMT source told the Taipei Times that the party has tried its utmost to help boost the economy, but that the DPP government has shown not the least bit of appreciation thus far.

"The KMT sponsored a series of economic forums from May 12 to May 19 that drew participants from various sectors in a joint effort to find remedies for the economic woes," the source said on condition of anonymity. "But no government officials invited bothered to show up."

He said that the Cabinet, if it faithfully carries out its already approved spending plans, would accomplish much without the benefit of additional counsel.

In a show of courtesy, the KMT is compiling findings from earlier forums and is presenting them to the Presidential Office.