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TSU insists Lee did not meddle in new Cabinet

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) hasn't played a role in the formation of the new Cabinet and instead sees the new legislature as his battlefield, TSU officials said yesterday.

TSU officials made the comments yesterday to counter media speculation that Lee had used his good relations with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to influence the shape of the new Cabinet.

"Lee has told us that he hasn't taken any initiative to recommend anybody, but only offer his advice when consulted by President Chen Shui-bian," said Lin Jih-chia (林志嘉), the party's deputy-secretary general.

"But in the upcoming election for legislative speaker, we will support whoever Lee tells us."

Lin said Lee has yet to indicate who the party should support. But "the TSU will certainly cooperate with the DPP and support the re-election of legislative speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) under the condition that his deputy is a DPP member," the TSU official said.

Lin said a final decision would be made soon after Lee meets with the president.

Since Chen took power in May 2000, former president Lee has been his closest political ally, providing him with advice. During the process of forming the first Cabinet under Chen, Lee recommended several officials to work in the DPP government.

Some political observers say Lee has also had a hand in the formation of the new Cabinet lineup expected to be announced today.

But others disagreed with the speculation.

"So far, I have not seen Lee's influence in the upcoming reshuffle of the Cabinet," said Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), deputy director of the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University. "But it's certain that Lee will be a pivotal factor in the forthcoming election for legislative speaker."

Critics say that several picks for government posts show that Lee has been able to influence the Cabinet-formation process.

They note the choice of Eugene Chien (簡又新), currently deputy secretary-general to the president, as the possible minister of foreign affairs. Also, there's Chief of the General Staff General Tang Yao-ming (湯曜明), who is in line to become minister of national defense.

Both Chien and Tang are close to Lee.

But political observers say that despite Chien's close ties to Lee, he has also won the president's trust over the past 18 months serving as his deputy secretary-general. "It's unfair to say that Chien's winning the post is because of his relations with Lee," Wu said.

As for Tang, the professor said the man was chosen because he's the best for the job, not because Chen acted on Lee's advice.

Wu also agreed that Lee was more likely to pay attention to legislative affairs than the formation of the Cabinet. Lee will "spare no effort to exert his influence, with the aim of helping Chen to stabilize the political scene," Wu said.

Although Lee has yet to tip his hand as to who he favors in the race for legislative speaker and vice speaker, "What's certain is that Lee will throw his weight behind the DPP if the KMT decides to cooperate with the PFP," the professor said.

Wu said that if the KMT pledges to cooperate with the PFP, Lee -- in comparison to Chen -- would be in a better position to attack the alliance.

A pact between the KMT and PFP would be "against the `localization' principles he implemented during the 12 years he was in power," Wu said.

Wu added that Lee should focus on expanding the TSU's power by recruiting defecting KMT members and exerting its influence in the legislature.
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