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Lawmaker says president being put on pedestal

A People First Party legislator yesterday criticized a workshop to be held for high-ranking government officials today, saying it has become an occasion for promoting a sycophantic campaign that gives undeserved praise to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).

"If President Chen and the Executive Yuan really want to hold a workshop for government officials, they should encourage officials to speak out and listen to officials' opinions," Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠) said.

"But these officials are now made to recite Chen's speeches and write study reports on them," Chin added.

According to Chin, the Central Personnel Administration (人事行政局) -- which is organizing the workshop -- has sent each participant a compilation of Chen's speeches and remarks and demanded that the participants hand in a "study report" by June 26.

In their reports, Chin said, workshop participants were required to specify five of Chen's policies which they consider are the most important, identify three to five difficulties encountered in the process of realizing Chen's ideals for governing the country and write a summary of up to 100 words on Chen's ideals.

Chin said that the way the workshop is being organized reminds people of Taiwan under dictatorial rule 50 years ago, when people were made to eulogize "the greatness of Chiang Kai-shek [蔣介石]."

In response to Chin's allegation, Central Personnel Administration officials denied the workshop was intended to blarney Chen.

Lee Jo-i (李若一), deputy director-general of the administration, said the documents were sent to officials so they would better understand the president's ideals.

"Wouldn't it be strange if officials weren't clear what their boss thought?" Lee said.

Lee said the administration held similar activities last year, and the policy white papers issued during Chen's presidential campaign were handed out to the officials then.

Three weekend workshops for top government officials have been scheduled from June 30 to July 15.

The first of them, which takes place today and tomorrow, is for the heads of various ministries and agencies under the Executive Yuan, Judicial Yuan, Control Yuan and Examination Yuan, while the other two are arranged for their deputies.

Chen and Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) will address workshop participants today. In addition, Stan Shih (施振榮), chairman of the Acer Group and a national policy adviser to the president, will deliver a speech on "organic reform and the knowledge-based economy."

Officials at the Presidential Office said that participants of the workshop will review the feasibility of Chen's campaign promises and will make adjustments to them if necessary.
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