Chen clocks in as DPP chairman

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) started acting as the DPP's new chairman yesterday by meeting with the party's staff and putting his signature to new appointments.

Senior Presidential Advisor Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) was appointed as the party's secretary- general. Chang, along with Legislator-at-large Chang Chun-hung (張俊宏) and Premier Yu Shyi-kun were also given seats in the party's Central Standing Committee.

The committee is comprised of 15 members. Ten are elected and five are reserved seats. The other two members who were given reserved seats are President Chen himself, and lawmaker Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘).

Calling the visit to the party's headquarters "an orientation tour," the new chairman said the party is like a big family full of energy and vitality, where every staff member is regarded as part of the same family.

"As a party chairman, I am not here to lead the people, but to follow the people.? I hope every member of the family will bring passion and creativity to their work in this free and open environment -- and work together so that we can reach our goals," Chen said.

"After I have settled into the position [of party chairman] I will be sure to continue the tradition of open-ness and liberal thinking."

The president said he knows most of the staff members chose to work for the DPP because they have great expectations for the party and hope to learn and grow by contributing to society.

Chen said he considers a well-designed training program to be the best thing for employees' morale, and he will ask the party's secretary-general to outline plans for professional training programs.

In addition to the party's staff members, most of its high-ranking officials also appeared at their headquarters to give Chen a warm welcome.

Also yesterday, Chang Chun-hsiung appointed DPP lawmaker Chen Chong-yi (陳宗義) as the director of the party's youth development department while Juan Chao-hsiung (阮昭雄), a close aide of former chairman Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), was appointed as his deputy.

Chen Chong-yi filled the vacancy that was originally earmarked for lawmaker Duan Yi-kang (段宜康), who declined from taking the post Thursday because he was reportedly upset about the fact that the party chose the deputy without consulting him.

The only DPP post that is still vacant is for the director of the party's survey center.