DPP freshmen urged to act professionally

Presidential Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang, left, serves Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh, yesterday after they attended the DPP's symposium at the Grand Hotel. The intimate interaction between the two possible contenders for the premier's post, drew large media attention. PHOTO: LIU HSIN-DER, TAIPEI TIMES

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday encouraged the Demo-cratic Progressive Party's (DPP) neophyte legislators to endeavor to turn the new legislature into one dedicated to comprehensive negotiation and dialogue, saying that professionalism and justice are the one and only way to succeed in politics.

"The new legislature should not only seek political reconciliation and cooperation, but it should also establish a more effective negotiation mechanism that allows those bills which have obtained political consensus to be passed quickly," Chen said.

"The passage of bills is not a zero-sum game. I believe that there must be a better solution than extreme choices," he said.

Chen made the remarks in his closing speech to the DPP's two?day policy symposium for newly-elected legislators that was held at the Grand Hotel in Taipei Saturday and yesterday.

The party organized a series of forums and discussions for about 30 newly-elected legislators to help them become familiar with the functions of the Legislative Yuan.

President Chen Shui-bian speaks yesterday at the end of the Democratic Progressive Party's policy symposium for newly-elected legislators at the Grand Hotel, saying that he stands by the statements he made when resigning as party chairman and will continue to work for democratic reform, Taiwan consciousness and making Taiwan a normal, advanced, beautiful and powerful country. PHOTO: LIU HSIN-TEH, TAIPEI TIMES

Before the president made his speech, a series of party heavyweights such as Presidential Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), Secretary-General Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) and Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) offered their advice to the freshmen class.

In his speech, Chen stressed that DPP legislators have to realize that the pan-green camp is still the minority in the legislature and only through negotiation and cooperation can political deadlocks be broken.

"I hope you will speak for justice rather than money in your new careers ... You have to be legislators with a sense of justice and be able to differentiate what is right and wrong on issues of major importance ... Most importantly, you have to learn how to resist temptation."

President Chen Shui-bian

"I expect all of you to show your wisdom and patience to help push for political reconciliation and dialogue and create new and stable prospects for the country," Chen said.

"I hope you will speak for justice rather than money in your new careers," he said.

"You have to be legislators with a sense of justice and be able to differentiate what is right and wrong on issues of major importance," he said.

"Most importantly, you have to learn how to resist temptation," he said.

"Professionalism and justice are the one and only way to succeed. You can only become an influential lawmaker because of your expertise and sincerity," the president said.

Citing his own experience as a legislator, Chen said careful preparation would win the respect and attention of both the administration and the media.

The president also advised the novices not to imitate some of the senior lawmakers who, he said, often act as if they guests on are variety-shows.

"Of course we can have humor in politics. However, politics is never a personal show. You won't succeed without teamwork," Chen said.

"If you focus on making your jobs look entertaining and dramatic, I'm afraid that your political career will not last too long," he said.