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Premier Yu says Chen Chien-jen hasn't resigned

Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday denied recent reports that Chen Chien-jen (程建人), Taiwan's representative to Washington, had resigned, saying that neither the Executive Yuan nor the Minister of Foreign Affairs had received a resignation letter from the envoy.

The premier was responding to a question from Legislator Chu Shing-yu (朱星羽) during an interpellation session held at the Legislative Yuan.

Chen repeated his intention on Monday to resign and expressed the hope that the government would send an official to replace him as soon as possible. He said that he had been considering resigning for a long time and that he had not changed his mind.

The premier praised Chen's outstanding performance and his contribution to the nation as the top representative to the US.

Yu was asked whether Legislator Chen Tang-sun (陳唐山), Deputy Representative to the US Tsai Ming-shian (蔡明憲) or Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Deputy Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) were qualified replacements for Chen.

Yu replied that all three would be suitable candidates.

As for opposition from France, Japan and the US to the March 20 referendum, Yu said that the three were opposed to unilateral change to the status quo rather than opposed to a referendum as such.

Yu said Washington and Tokyo had stated that they would not interfere in Taiwan's internal affairs and that the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also explained its position on the matter.
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