Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (
"At the very least, the Cabinet must be able to represent President Chen Shui-bian's (
He made the comments in response to reporters' questions concerning the president's intention to reshuffle the Cabinet. Last week Chen said he hoped that a reshuffled Cabinet, which is expected to take form after the new year, would be a "refreshing" one.
According to Chiou, all members of the future Cabinet must present good policies and demonstrate administrative ability. He rejected speculation that this is a policy designed to win the 2004 presidential election.
"I don't think the application of this idea should have such a narrow focus that its sole purpose is to assure election victory," Chiou said.
"If the administration doesn't continue its reform efforts over the next two-and-a-half years, it won't win the people's appreciation and this `combat' will end very tragically," Chiou added.
Chiou, who joined the Cabinet 14 months ago, said the DPP government still has much room to improve.
The members of the future Cabinet will not be given any time to learn to do their jobs and will be expected to deliver results shortly after taking over, the secretary-general said.
Commenting on suitable candidates to fill the role of Taiwan's representative to the WTO, Chiou said the position is similar to the ambassadorship to the UN, and whoever holds the position must work to rebuild Taiwan's international image.
He said that after 30 years of international isolation -- enforced by Beijing -- much needs to be done in order to resurrect the nation's image abroad.
In a similar vein, he said that the ability to handle cross-strait relations is only one qualification for the post, Chiou said.
Reports have surfaced that say Vice Premier Lai Ying-chao (賴英照) and the Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman, Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), are the two leading candidates for the position.
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