Premier Frank Hsieh (
The DPP has recently come under fire for negotiating with the People First Party (PFP), one of its political rivals.
"Many people believe that the DPP's main policy is incompatible with negotiations with its political rivals. However, these are two totally different issues," Hsieh said.
"Negotiation does not mean that we have abandoned our beliefs," he said.
Hsieh made the remarks during his short speech before the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday morning.
He said that the DPP's main theme is to create a better Taiwan with constant progress every year, and that negotiations with the party's rivals serve the same purpose.
The premier said that, although the DPP is the governing party, it needs other parties' support to carry out its policies.
When these policies are carried out, the people of Taiwan will be able to enjoy a better life, better environment and better country, he said.
Against the background of the recent tension between the DPP and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), Hsieh said that the DPP does not want to put undue pressure on the TSU, which would endanger ties between the two parties.
"The TSU has its own policies and theme. Our TSU friends have their own corner and their own way of contributing to the country, and we will keep it that way," Hsieh said.
The TSU and DPP have in the past maintained close ties and have cooperated under the banner of the pan-green alliance. However, relations between the two parties have become strained after President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) criticized former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), the spiritual leader of the TSU, on TV talk shows last week.
The premier said that negotiation and cooperation are the main priorities of his Cabinet team members, and that he would definitely not encourage any form of disrespect toward any individual or political party.
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