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Chen faces DPP backlash

Upset with President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) inconsistent remarks about Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) trip to China, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday called on Chen to conduct talks with them to reach a consensus on cross-strait policies.

DPP Legislator Wang Sing-nan (王幸男) even said that Chen could "consider withdrawing" from the DPP if he was finding it a burden to turn the country into a normal and independent sovereign state.

The DPP legislative caucus yesterday held a meeting to discuss party matters, including the upcoming National Assembly elections and cross-strait relations. They reached a consensus to ask the president to hold talks with party lawmakers and discuss cross-strait issues after he returns from his overseas trip today.

They hope the meeting will take place before the National Assembly elections on May 14.

"If the president's schedule allows it, we'd like it to happen as soon as possible, preferably before the National Assembly election," said DPP caucus whip Jao Yung-ching (趙永清). "We realize that the president's recent remarks have indeed created some trouble for the party and many people have voiced pessimism over the party's performance in the poll."

Wang said that he has received many complaints from his constituents in Tainan City that Chen is not the same person they elected five years ago.

"The long-term goal we want to achieve has been changed from pursuing a normal and independent sovereign state to leaning toward `one China,'" Wang said. "It delivers a serious blow to the party's image and undermines our support base."

Likening DPP supporters' displeasure with the party to a volcano, Wang said their anger is on the verge of eruption.

"I have received so many telephone calls from my voters, cursing at us, the party and President Chen," he said. "The president must respond to those complaints. If he finds turning the country into a normal and independent sovereign state a burden, he might want to consider withdrawing from the party."

DPP Legislator Lee Wen-chung (李文忠) said that Chen's inconsistent remarks about Lien's recent trip had confused people.

"I personally think that the president is not acting like a president and the government is not acting like a government," Lee said.

How can you expect the public to have faith in the government and the party when the president criticizes Lien today but offers him a compliment tomorrow, Lee asked.

And while the Mainland Affairs Council cast doubt on the legality of the five-point consensus reached between Lien and Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), Lee said that Chen expressed a different opinion the next day.

"Government officials are not talk show hosts. They must be responsible for what they say and do," he said.

Lee, however, didn't think Chen should consider retiring from the party, saying the president cannot live without the party and the party cannot live without him.

"I think the president, the government and we, the lawmakers, must reflect on ourselves and figure out exactly what a ruling party should do," he said.

Echoing Lee's opinion, DPP caucus whip Chen Chin-jun (陳景峻) said that the matter was not as serious as it seems. He, however, admitted that the party was facing an unprecedented crisis and that its popularity is in jeopardy.

"Since the DPP came to power in 2000, our supporters have grown from being tolerant to impatient," he said. "The next few months are key for turning things around."
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