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Alleged `presidential intimidation' a gambit: analysts

"If President Chen steps down before his term expires, Wang is bound to play a more important role in the political arena. He, of course, will not change his political stance to support independence, but he can definitely force Ma to cooperate with him."

Liao Da-chi, professor of political science at National Chungshan University

The recent reports of President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) alleged intimidation of Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) may have been a political gambit on Wang's part, aimed at boosting his chances of being nominated as a candidate in the next presidential election, political analysts said yesterday.

"Wang, who has been questioned about his stand on unification, is trying to reassure pan-blue supporters and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) that he is loyal to his party even when faced with intimidation by the president," said Chen Yi-shen (陳儀深), deputy chairman of the Northern Taiwan Society.

Although Wang is an ethnic Taiwanese and is popular among the pan-blue camp's "local forces," he has had problems obtaining the trust of die-hard pro-unification supporters because of his native roots and close relationship with the pan-green camp, especially with former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) and President Chen.

It was therefore necessary and important for Wang to court pan-blue supporters, but at the same time maintain his sound relationship with the pan-green camp, Chen Yi-shen said.

"However, he may risk losing the backing of both sides," Chen Yi-shen said.

The issue stems from a news report by the Chinese-language daily, China Times, on Wednesday, alleging that the president had shown Wang some "legal documents" outlining possible evidence of his wrongdoing in an attempt to intimidate Wang.

The Presidential Office held a press conference on the same day and threatened legal action if the paper did not retract its claim and apologize the following day.

Ignoring the warning, how-ever, the China Times followed up with more coverage of its claim the next day.

Wang, who was in Japan, told reporters in a phone interview on Thursday that Chen did ask him twice to decline the offer to serve as campaign manager for the KMT in the run-up to the presidential election in 2004, but that he firmly rejected the president's requests.

Wang also confirmed that the president mentioned the Zanadau Development Corp (新瑞都) scan-dal, in which Wang was accused of taking bribes in exchange for helping remove obstacles to the privatization of a state-run enterprise.

Wang, however, denied that the president threatened him and that he "thumped the desk and then walked out."

President Chen yesterday also denied that he had tried to intimidate Wang.

Liao Da-chi (廖達琪), a professor of political science at National Chungshan University, said that while it was unclear whether Wang himself leaked the information to the media, the incident seemed to be an "apparent maneuver."

"It is only in Wang's interest to distance himself from President Chen, who is embroiled in corruption scandals and faces doubts about his leadership," she said.

"If President Chen steps down before his term expires, Wang is bound to play a more important role in the political arena. He, of course, will not change his political stance to support independence, but he can definitely force Ma to cooperate with him," Liao added.

Liao said she believed that Lee, the spiritual leader of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), also wanted to see the president face more pressure on his ethics and credibility problem.

"I have inside sources confirming that former president Lee is very disappointed with President Chen's performance over the years," she said.

"If Chen were to step down before his term ends, the only party that would benefit would be the TSU because it would then enjoy a better chance in the upcoming Taipei and Kaohsiung mayoral election and next year's legislative polls," she added.

Yang Tai-shun (楊泰順), a professor of political science at Chinese Culture University, said it was possible that Wang used the incident to try to boost his own position or to "throw stones at President Chen when he has already fallen into a well."

While Wang may sabotage his relationship with President Chen this way, Yang said, he may not care about maintaining a good relationship with a "lame duck" president.

Ger Yeong-kuang (葛永光), a professor of political science at National Taiwan University, said the China Times' reports apparently painted Wang in a better light than the president.

Analysts all frowned on speculation that former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) might team up with Ma in the next presidential election, saying that such a possibility is slim and that it is doomed to fail even if they manage to join forces.

"Lien's age is a big problem, because he will be 73 in 2008," Liao said.

"Besides, his time has passed and he's too cozy with China. He has lost the presidential election twice, and I don't think a third try will change anything," Liao added.

It would be a plus for Ma to team up with Wang, who is an ethnic Taiwanese and has "ambiguous political color," she said.
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