Lien files application for KMT's presidential primary

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) formally kicked off his presidential bid yesterday by applying to join an intra-party primary to win the party's nomination for next year's election.

Lien later told a news conference that he looks forward to competing against President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) with style and class.

Lien was accompanied by KMT Vice Chairman Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), the speaker of the Legislative Yuan and KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正) while registering his candidacy for the party primary.

According to KMT presidential-primary regulations, Lien must first obtain the endorsement of 50,000 party members.

Wang, who heads a KMT panel to help Lien win the party's nomination, said his panel will do its utmost to collect signatures from as many members as possible.

Registration for the KMT primary will end next Tuesday.

Lien said although the KMT has reached a consensus with the PFP to field a joint ticket for next year's presidential and vice-presidential elections, the party must still follow its own internal nomination procedures.

Lien said he feels compelled to seek the presidency again to help the KMT stage a comeback and to help the country reinvent itself.

The KMT chairman claimed that since the party lost power in May 2000, Taiwan has declined in various fields.

"We hope to push for a second transition of power so that Taiwan can return to the right track and direction," he said.

Noting that Chen is known for a distaste for mudslinging and negative-campaign strategies, Lien said he longs to joining forces with the president in making the upcoming presidential campaign a tasteful and high-quality affair.

Asked by reporters whether he would publish a book detailing his interactions with his one-time mentor -- former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) -- as reported by the media, Lien said he doesn't have such a "great" plan.

Instead, he said he will present new visions and policy initiatives for the nation's development.