Expelling 11, KMT tries to set an example

The KMT's Evaluation and Discipline Committee yesterday decided to expel 11 KMT members who have joined the Taiwan Solidarity Union and will represent the TSU in the year-end legislative elections.

The question of whether to expell its errant former chairman Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), however, has been put off for the time being.

The committee also put off possible disciplinary action against another defector -- Huang Chin-teh (黃金德) -- vice speaker of the Taoyuan County Council, on the grounds that the party is still trying to understand Huang's "tendency."

The expulsion of the 11 will take effect after the decision is ratified by the party's Central Standing Committee today.

Chen Kang-chin (陳庚金), chairman of the party's Evaluation and Discipline Committee, said he, his colleagues and local party officials had visited the people involved to look into their situations and try some friendly persuasion before yesterday's decision.

The results of the visits were reported to committee members at the meeting, after which the decision was made, Chen added.

As to the case of Huang, Chen said Huang had originally intended to represent the KMT in the legislative elections or run as an independent.

"But owing to external influence, he has no alternative but -- for the time being -- to run under the TSU's banner," Chen said.

Chen, however, declined to further elaborate on Huang's situation, saying that local party officials are still "coordinating" with Huang.

An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, hinted that it is likely Huang may return to the KMT if the coordination effort succeeds, and this was the reason why the committee decided to postpone taking action against him.

In addition to the 12 people confirmed KMT members, seven others who were dealt with yesterday were former party members who have either already quit the party before joining the TSU, or have already lost their KMT memberships as a result of not re-registering last year.

Chao Shou-po (趙守博), chairman of the KMT's Organization and Development Committee, said the disciplinary action is necessary to make a clear distinction between KMT and TSU candidates.

"If we don't make a distinction, people may mistake one for the other," Chao said.

Meanwhile, on the issue of whether the KMT should take action against its former chairman Lee Teng-hui for endorsing the TSU, the committee decided yesterday that for the time being, this question would be set aside.

Chen said the timing on handling the matter will depend on "subsequent development" of the situation. "Upholding party discipline and its survival are our main consideration. Certainly, we will do things that are advantageous to our survival and development and avoid doing things that are to our disadvantage," Chen said.

Lee is considered the spiritual leader of the TSU, which intends to ally with the DPP after the year-end elections. Lee publicly praised the TSU when addressing its founding ceremony on Sunday.

It has been widely reported that Lee is unhappy with his successor Lien Chan (連戰) for going against the localization line that Lee established during his tenure.

It is still uncertain if Lee, who still enjoys a certain degree of popularity, will stump for TSU legislative candidates.

Political analysts have suggested that the KMT would give Lee an excuse to help the TSU and DPP in a more overt manner if it opted to deal with his expulsion now.