Opposition saying they will still try for joint candidate for Kaohsiung race

A united front by the opposition camp in the race for Kaohsiung mayor remains hopeful though negotiations have been halted after independent candidate Chang Po-ya (張博雅) broke away earlier this week, a heavyweight KMT official has said.

"Leaders from the KMT and PFP have not given up hope of a joint bid despite the impasse brought on by Chang's departure," according to Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) who concurrently serves as KMT vice chairman.

Accusing the KMT of unfair play, Chang, who has the backing of the PFP, decided late Wednesday night to quit pan-blue efforts to wage a joint campaign against incumbent DPP Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷). The former interior minister said she would run under an independent banner.

Wang said the development has not stopped KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and his PFP counterpart James Soong (宋楚瑜) from seeking the chance to work together.

"Their desire to cooperate remains unchanged and both are making last-ditch efforts to remove internal resistance," the speaker told reporters during a recent interview.

He conceded a gap exists between the KMT leadership and local officials on the matter.

Lien has reportedly agreed to endorse a non-KMT candidate in exchange for PFP support in the 2004 presidential election, and more urgently, in the fight against legislation that would allow the government to confiscate KMT assets alleged to have been illegally acquired.

But the KMT Kaohsiung chapter favors its own flag-bearer Huang Jung-ying (黃俊英), who, the PFP insists, has little chance of victory.

"The key lies in finding a candidate receptive to both parties," Wang said, noting that bilateral officials have exercised restraint despite minor verbal skirmishes.

He dismissed worries the mayoral race would have a negative influence on the presidential elections saying the field will not be as crowded.

"For elections of that level, individual officials will not vie to air their views," the KMT leader said.