Lien Chan defends nomination process

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) yesterday stressed that the party's partnership with the PFP is not based on "closed-door" politics.

"KMT-PFP cooperation is not closed-door politics because it is reached through taking democratic means step by step," Lien said at a meeting in Hualien for KMT mayors and county commissioners.

Pointing to the signing of a memorandum of understanding last month and the upcoming report to the parties' respective national party congresses on the formation of a KMT-PFP alliance, Lien showed how the alliance had used democratic means to reach an agreement to joint forces for next year's presidential election.

KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正) said last week that he expects the parties' respective national congresses will be held at the end of this month.

"Besides open communication between the two parties and opinions from party members, both the KMT and the PFP will also complete their own nomination processes to choose the party candidate for the presidential election," Lien said.

"We are not guilty whatsoever, because the two parties have done everything in the open and not behind closed doors," he said.

Lien told his audience that it is the party's goal to integrate all reform forces to develop Taiwan.

During the meeting, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) suggested that the party invite PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming (郁慕明) as well as PFP and New Party mayors and county commissioners to the party's next meeting of mayors and county commissioners.

"We should invite them to our next meeting in order to strengthen communication among the pan-blue alliance and cooperation among these cities and counties," Ma said.

"The proposal does not set out to foster opposition to non pan-blue political parties but simply to help one another tackling and solving issues," Ma said.

Meanwhile, Ting Shou-chung (丁守中), head of the KMT's Organization and Development Affairs Committee, yesterday posted details of the party's presidential election nomination registration on the KMT headquarters' bulletin board signifying that the nomination process is moving ahead.

According to the measures, would-be candidates must file applications with the party from Friday to March 11 and reveal their campaign platforms in nationwide presentations organized by the party from March 14 to March 18.

Although it is party procedure to select candidate through opinion polls and primaries, Ting said that since there is consensus within the party that Lien would head the joint ticket with Soong as his running mate, opinion polls and primaries could be skipped if Lien is the only applicant.