KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
Lien said the party was calling the effort, the "2004 project for the people's happiness."
"We must unite all opposition forces, opposition parties and the huge number of people without a political affiliation to find a way out for our future," Lien said, addressing an annual meeting of the party's Central Advisory Council.
Lien said the country has experienced a period of "democratic regression" over the past two years, both in terms of economics and politics.
"We must let the people understand that populism is harmful to Taiwan, while Taiwan independence will lead Taiwan to destruction. Only democracy can protect Taiwan," Lien said.
At yesterday's meeting, many council members urged the party leadership to cooperate with the PFP to defeat the DPP in the year-end Kaohsiung mayoral election and to further extend cooperation to the 2004 presidential race.
In agreement with a resolution adopted at last week's meeting of the party's Central Committee, in which Lien was urged to present the party to run in the 2004 race, some council members proposed yesterday that the party start its nomination process soon to officially name Lien the party's presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the KMT and PFP's intention to support independent candidate Chang Po-ya (張博雅) in the Kaohsiung mayoral race invited strong opposition from certain council members.
They were especially unhappy with Chang's "arrogant" attitude, which they said was clearly reflected in her recent remarks that she would only seek the two parties' support if they did not field their own candidate.
These members urged the KMT to stop pinning its hopes on Chang, saying the party should support its own mayoral aspirant, Huang Jun-ying (黃俊英), instead.
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