Tue, Oct 15, 2002 - Page 3 News List

Elections 2002: Two competitors, two visions of Taipei - Lee

With the Taipei mayoral race heating up, the two contenders sat down with the `Liberty Times' to discuss their campaign strategy. While incumbent Ma Ying-jeou and the DPP's Lee Ying-yuan differ when it comes to policy and style, there's one point they can agree on -- it's time to put the city's ethnic divide behind us

LT: What kind of relationship would you build between the mayor's office and city council?

Lee: Even though I still haven't met with city council, I don't think it could be more difficult than my dealings between the Cabinet and the Legislative Yuan during my time as secretary-general to the Cabinet, could it?

First of all, I will respect other people and I will listen intently and sincerely to opinions before analyzing and summarizing. I will then have the courage -- the courage to be decisive -- so that there will be results. If you behave in this way, people will be willing to communicate with you and things will get done.

LT: The year-end mayoral election in Taipei has been seen by some as a prelude to the 2004 presidential election. What do you think about that?

Lee: The mayoral election will of course be an indicator. Let's make a simple example: if I win, Ma can run for president.

Two years from now, how will Soong, Lien and Ma arrange the gameboard for the presidential election? That's something they have to deal with. Basically, the DPP is very clear that Chen will run for a second term, so the mayor and the president have to work together.

TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG AND PERRY SVENSSON

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