Former senior presidential adviser Koo Kwang-ming (
"After Beijing passed its `Anti-Secession' Law, Taiwan has become divided," Koo said. "I think President Chen's recent remarks signaled a crisis in his leadership and in the Democratic Progressive Party [DPP], which is slanting toward China."
Koo made the remarks yesterday at a news conference held by the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and other pro-independence groups to urge voters to support the TSU in the National Assembly Elections on Saturday.
Koo said that Taiwan has been rocked by opposition leaders' trips to China, and it is no help to Taiwan if the two pan-green camp leaders continue to confront each other.
Koo said that the president had complained to him privately about Lee's recent comments on cross-strait relations for about 90 minutes while the two were on a trip to the Marshall Islands earlier this month.
"I thought it was only President Chen's [personal] grievance [against Lee]. However, I was so surprised that Chen would make public these complaints," Koo said. "I think it was so inappropriate for a national leader to make such remarks in public."
"After hearing President Chen's criticisms of Lee in the first interview on TV, I planned to act as a mediator between Lee and Chen; however, when I heard Chen's words in the second interview, I felt I had no position to so do," Koo said.
"President Chen lost his dignity as a national leader for criticizing former president Lee with strong rhetoric," Koo said. "I think he is incorrigible."
Koo also said that he does not support the constitutional reforms the National Assembly is to consider.
The amendments are incomplete, and will only cause confusion in the nation's political system if they are passed, he said.
"The TSU is the only party that is concerned about Taiwan's destiny. Although there is still a long way to go before the TSU can replace the DPP, I urge the people of Taiwan to nourish the TSU through these elections," Koo said.
In related news, Lee will hold a news conference this evening in Taipei to respond to the outcome of People First Party Chairman James Soong's (
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