Lien reaches understanding with independent Shih

In what was considered by the KMT a step closer to uniting the forces of the opposition camp in the Kaohsiung mayoral election, the party yesterday reached a consensus with independent mayoral candidate Shih Ming-teh (施明德) "not to present supporters with dividing choices" in the December poll.

The consensus was established during a meeting between KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and Shih, a former DPP chairman, over breakfast at Taipei's Ambassador Hotel. Lien said he and Shih agreed to continue their effort to unite the opposition, which intends to field a single candidate to run against incumbent Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) from the DPP.

"As far as the Kaohsiung mayoral race is concerned, we always believed that we must seek to integrate the opposition candidates with sincerity, goodwill and an open mind," Lien said.

"We won't let our supporters face a situation in which it is difficult for them to make a decision."

In addition, Lien said he would try to contact Chang Po-ya (張博雅), another independent candidate.

"We must not shut the door and must make our best effort (to seek integration). But it takes two to tango," Lien said.

Negotiations between the KMT and PFP broke down last month after Chang Po-ya decided to wage her own campaign, saying she did not have faith in the selection process chosen by the two parties.

Chang Po-ya, a former minister of the interior, became the PFP's choice for candidacy after PFP Vice Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (張昭雄) dropped out of the contest.

Chang Po-ya originally had agreed that a final candidate should be selected by opinion polls in which opposition supporters would choose between her and the KMT's choice -- former vice mayor of Kaohsiung Huang Jun-ying (黃俊英).

With the negotiations with Chang Po-ya reaching a stalemate, the KMT has recently attempted to approach Shih as part of the effort to integrate.

Extending a gesture of goodwill to Shih, Lien yesterday promised that his party will throw its full support behind a piece of legislation promoted by Shih to develop Kaohsiung into a free port city enjoying a high degree of autonomy.

According to Shih, the plan, if realized, will resolve the on-going deadlock in which direct cross-strait shipping is impossible owing to disagreement between Taiwan and China about the "one China" principle.

Lien said legislators from the KMT would soon be working with Shih in order to push the Kaohsiung bill through the legislature.

Shih, however, denied reports in the media suggesting that he would soon drop out of the mayoral race in order to reciprocate the KMT's support for the bill.