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Spate of Presidential Office reshuffles linked to factions

The recent string of personnel reshuffles at the Presidential Office are aimed at placating factions within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), political observers said yesterday.

Dogged by allegations of political and financial improprieties, Presidential Office deputy secretary-general Ma Yung-cheng (馬永成) resigned last Thursday following President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) announcement that he would curtail his responsibilities and delegate powers to Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and ranking DPP officials.

Ma's long-term colleague, National Security Council member Lin Chin-chang (林錦昌), also tendered his resignation the same day.

Ma and Lin have worked with Chen since 1991. Together with former DPP legislator Luo Wen-jia (羅文嘉), they were labeled the "king makers" when they helped Chen win the 2000 presidential election.

Right-hand man

Ma was Chen's right-hand man, serving as a coordinator, mediator and policy strategist, when Chen was elected Taipei mayor in 1994.

Before becoming a senior adviser to the National Security Council in 2004, Lin, who is well known for his writing skill, was in charge of writing Chen's presidential speeches.

Following the resignations of Ma and Lin, the Presidential Office issued a statement on Sunday announcing that council deputy secretaries-general Parris Chang (張旭成) and Tsai Ming-hsien (蔡明憲) would be replaced.

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) confirmed on Monday that Chang and Tsai would be given new posts, but did not specify what they would be.

Despite the calls for the resignation of council Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁), it is believed that he will stay on.

Some DPP members have criticized Chiou for being too "cooperative" with Chen, especially with regard to cross-strait policies.

Another victim

Su also confirmed on Monday that Taiwan Stock Exchange Chairman Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) plans to leave his post. Wu said that he was considering asking all other New Tide members to leave their government posts in response to the public's perception that faction members take up too many government posts.

Shih Cheng-feng (施正鋒), a political science professor at Tamkang University, said that the personnel reshuffle at the Presidential Office was undertaken to reduce the New Tide faction's influence on the administration.

"It is clear that New Tide, which enjoys a close relationship with Su, wants Chen to transfer more power to the premier so that he can place more of their members in government positions," Shih said. "More [New Tide] members in the government means more resources for the presidential election."

By dismissing Ma, Lin, Tsai and Chang, Shih said that Chen had sent out a message that he was willing to compromise, but hoped the faction would show some restraint.

Tsai, a former New Tide member, oversaw matters of national defense for the council. His departure raised eyebrows because he only took up the post about three months ago.

Chang, who was responsible for matters of diplomatic affairs, is considered a supporter of Lu and reportedly does not get along with Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳).

While some New Tide faction members have proposed that Chen cease calling council meetings, Shih said this scheme was aimed at further marginalizing the president.

Commenting on Chen's decision to cease hiring presidential advisers and national policy counselors, Shih said that the president may have gone too far in righting a wrong.

However, Hsu Yung-ming (徐永明), an assistant research fellow in political science at Academia Sinica, expressed a different opinion.

"By pulling his men out of the castle, Chen can sit back and watch the party's heavyweights slug it out," he said. "The reshuffles at the Presidential Office are a strategy aimed at retreating in order to advance."

By continuing to serve at the council, Hsu said that Chiou would be free to concentrate on his job instead of diverting his energy into mapping out campaign strategies and campaigning for DPP members running for public office.

"Chiou serves as an umbilical cord between Chen and the New Tide faction," he said. "Chiou is one of the party's few well-rounded strategists -- a man that Chen cannot do without."
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