Wu nomination gets help from Wang

The legislature yesterday agreed to review the nomination of former Civil Service Minister Wu Rong-ming (吳容明) as the next Examination Yuan vice president next month after President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) met Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) two days ago to seek Wang's support for the nomination.

To help the appointment through the legislature, the president met Wang two days ago for the first time since the inauguration to discuss the nomination.

Chen exchanged opinions with Wang on constitutional amendments, domestic politics and cross-strait relations.

But the pan-blues' dispute with the presidential election was not discussed, as an election fraud lawsuit was still awaiting a judicial decision.

Chen Wang in person about the nomination and asked for Wang's help to have the legislature approve the appointment. Wang responded in kind, saying that the consent should not be a problem.

The president meanwhile said that the new top officials for the Control Yuan would be nominated after the election dispute ended. The terms for incumbent Control Yuan officials expire early next year.

The Presidential Office officially delivered Wu's appointment order to the Legislative Yuan two days ago. The Legislative Yuan's Procedure Committee agreed yesterday to have the appointment reviewed on June 3 by all committees, and vote on June 4 to consent to or reject the order.

Wang that the president wanted constitutional amendments reviewed in a comprehensive fashion, including whether Taiwan should adopt a Cabinet or a presidential system.

Chen said that constitutional amendments should not be rushed.

"But I told the president that the Democratic Progressive Party also supported the amendment eagerly before, and it might be inevitable for the constitutional amendment bill for legislative downsizing to encounter a showdown at Friday's sitting," Wang said.

Regarding and international politics, Chen mentioned the pursuit of a peaceful solution for cross-strait relations and the feasibility of a new framework for Taiwan-US-China relations.

Chen the US could exercise influence in the new framework to help Taiwan initiate talks with China.