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Lien downplays talk of division in KMT-PFP alliance

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) yesterday said the alliance between his party and the PFP remains solid, despite the fact that he was not informed beforehand of the PFP legislative caucus's recent call that he and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) should visit President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to discuss important legislative bills.

On Sunday, PFP caucus suggested that Soong and Lien visit Chen in his capacity as DPP chairman to iron out differences on key bills to help speed up the Legislature Yuan's efficiency in reviewing and passing the bills in its next session.

Stressing that both parties have retained their autonomy , Lien said it was natural for the PFP caucus to voice its own opinion.

"Every party has the right and responsibility to voice opinion on issues it deems worthy of concern -- and that was exactly what the PFP caucus did," Lien said during an interview with a local TV station.

When asked if he would follow the caucus' suggestion for a meeting, Lien said "no one had invited me."

The KMT leader brushed off speculation that Soong is being heavy-handed in their joint ticket for next year's presidential election or that the PFP is trying to dominate the KMT.

"In terms of policy-making, there is no question that both the KMT and the PFP share a firm consensus in what we want to do and what direction we want to take," he said.

"As for my own and Soong's everyday comments," he said, "there's really no such need to be so trivial that we need to negotiate before we speak to the press."

Lien also urged outsiders not to try and make a mountain out of a mole hill over disagreements between the KMT and PFP.

However, this was not the first time the PFP has made a controversial comment without telling either the KMT or Lien about it first.

For example, Soong said last Friday that he is willing act as a chief inter-governmental coordinator should the pan-blue alliance win next March's election.

On Sunday, Soong said that he is willing to stage a televised debate with Chen over which party is filibustering bills in the Legislature Yuan.

KTM Legislator Tseng Tsai Mei-tso (曾蔡美佐) yesterday expressed his concern about KMT-PFP communication links. He said the two parties should clearly communicate between themselves before any sensitive or controversial statement is made to the press.

"Since the two parties have formed an alliance, whenever Soong or Lien says something, the voters assume that such statement was made on behalf of the alliance," Tseng Tsai said.

"I really think the two parties should improve communication between themselves to avoid giving voters the wrong impression," she said.
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