Hsieh was nearly named premier

Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), the DPP's chairman and Kaohsiung mayor, was once on the list of potential candidates to head up the new Cabinet, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday.

But the premiership wasn't given the Kaohsiung mayor, he said, because Hsieh wants to continue serving the southern harbor city.

Chen's statements yesterday seemed to imply that Hsieh will choose to run for re-election as Kaohsiung mayor instead of DPP chairman. Hsieh earlier said that he would run for re-election for one of the two jobs, but not both.

Despite Chen's remarks yesterday, Hsieh refused to comment.

In his speech yesterday to announce the new premier, Chen said Hsieh was once his ideal choice to head the new Cabinet.

"Chairman Hsieh deserves to be praised, as he has led the ruling party through successful reforms so that the DPP has now become the biggest party in the legislature. Many expect a lot from him, and hope he can scale new heights," Chen said.

But Hsieh remains committed to Kaohsiung, the president said, "and [he will] continue to struggle for a better future for the harbor city."

Chen then announced that his secretary-general, Yu Shyi-kun, would succeed Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) to become the new premier.

Hsieh, who apparently didn't know the content of Chen's speech beforehand, told reporters that he was surprised to hear the president's remarks.

"But what's said is said. I believe the president said that with good intentions," he said.

Hsieh said that he was grateful for Chen's kind words.

Still, though the president said "Hsieh has vowed to keep his promise with Kaohsiung citizens," the mayor refused to make his plans known.

But he said he had agreed with Chen that he would no longer serve two posts concurrently and that he will choose between mayor and DPP chairman.

Chen also lauded the achievements of the outgoing premier yesterday, saying Chang was a "great statesman and partner."

Chen said he appreciated the Cabinet's efforts under Chang's leadership and said the outgoing premier will be assigned another important post in the future.

A close aide to Chang said Chang has been invited to be a senior advisor to the president.

When asked if he would head up the Examination Yuan in August, succeeding Hsu Shui-teh (許水德), Chang said it wasn't convenient for him to comment.

"My major task is to help Chen get re-elected in the 2004 presidential election. I will he respect all arrangements made by the president," he said.