KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) yesterday called into question to the loyalty of the government, saying that the ruling administration should not treat the nation's status quo as a merely temporary.
"A loyal ruling administration should never ever use the current status quo of the Republic of China as a tool to disguise other hidden agenda," Lien said. "A loyal administration should always remain faithful to the nation, its people, its Constitution, its history and its culture."
"Under the Constitution of the Republic of China, the nation needs not only loyal opposition parties but also a loyal ruling administration," Lien said.
Lien made the remarks during a speech at a post-Lunar New Year gathering at the KMT's headquarters. Many senior party members attended the party, including Vice Chairman Vincent Siew (
Legislative Yuan deputy speaker Chiang Ping-kun (江丙坤), former premiers Sun Yun-suan (孫運璿) and Lee Huan (李煥) and former presidential advisor Liang Su-yung (梁肅戒) also attended.
Stressing that it is the responsibility of both the ruling and opposition parties to uphold and protect the status quo, Lien said that the most important agenda of the year is to promote the nation's democratic politics under the framework of upholding the Constitution.
Lien announced three new year's resolutions for the party: strengthening party reforms, reflecting public opinion and publicizing the "Happy Project for 2004."
That project is the party's proposed policies in accordance to its bid for next year's presidential election.
Lien said that among other goals the KMT should strive for this year are promoting national development and ethnic harmony.
"The KMT is a middle-of-the- road party that encourages harmony and cooperation," Lien said. "Its core value, therefore, is to seek integration among opposition parties."
Senior KMT politicians at the party, including Lee and Liang, voiced their support for Lien running for president with PFP Chairman James Soong (
They said the party should forge the ticket soon in order to challenge President Chen Shui-bian (
Lien is scheduled to meet with Soong on Friday to talk over a possible coalition campaign for the election.
Meanwhile, Soong said yesterday that he would meet with his party members today to hear their views on the proposed cooperation with the KMT. On Sunday, Soong said he was not insisting on any post for next year's election.
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