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Chen wants Lien and Soong to sit on new council

The Presidential Office confirmed yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) intends to invite KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) to be vice chairmen of the cross-party advisory board on economic development.

Both Lien and Soong, however, would not comment yesterday on whether they would accept Chen's offer, on the grounds that they have not yet received formal invitations.

Kuo Yao-chi (郭瑤琪), director of the Presidential Office's department of public affairs, said Chen believes the participation of the opposition leaders would help in the implementation of any conclusion reached by the board, and the creation of a peaceful atmosphere between the parties.

Though there has not been any response from either Lien or Soong so far, the Presidential Office will keep trying, Kuo said.

The Presidential Office has asked Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), who is also a vice chairman of the KMT, to help extend the invitation to Lien. Presidential Office Secretary-general Yu Shyi-kun is responsible for contacting Soong.

The process of inviting the two men has been hampered by the proposal of some DPP lawmakers to have authorities investigate the KMT's assets for irregularities.

Their proposal won the support of Chen during a meeting with the lawmakers on Tuesday. This triggered a strong protest from Lien, who accused Chen on Wednesday of engaging in a "vicious struggle" against his party.

Wang, who had originally intended to talk to Lien about the invitation on Wednesday, never had an opportunity to do so because of the soured atmosphere.

Soong said yesterday that the cross-party advisory board is a professional organization and the board's preparatory committee should decide who will be vice chairmen.

Political analysts have not been optimistic about the board's chances for success, given the strained atmosphere that exists between the parties.
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