President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has never considered resigning or quitting from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), although some people expect him to do so, a top aide to the president said yesterday.
"The president will lead the 23 million of Taiwan bravely and responsibly and shoulder the duties commissioned by the Constitution until the end of his term on May 20, 2008," Presidential Office Secretary-General Mark Chen (陳唐山) said during an informal gathering with press.
Mark Chen added that the president would face up to the criticisms that some party members have aimed at him in the wake of the string of corruption allegations surrounding members of the first family and his close aides.
After the opposition parties attempted but failed last month to recall the president over the scandals, a group of pan-green academics issued an open letter last week urging the president to step down and take responsibility for the scandals.
Mark Chen said he personally opposed the idea that the president should resign to take responsibility for the alleged scandals.
"I think that Taiwan, at this moment, needs a leader who has resolute confidence, not a leader who chooses to step down when he is pressured," he said.
On the eve of the DPP's national convention today, the president last night issued a statement saying that upholding national consciousness and implementing social justice would be retained as core values in his remaining two years in office.
"I am willing to thoroughly engage in introspection ... and I pray the people will continue to push me and give me the strength to complete missions that have not yet been actualized," he said.
To demonstrate his determination in devolving authority, he said he would not be taking part in the party's national convention today and tomorrow, although his passion and expectations for the party remained unchanged.
He added that he supported the idea of creating a "collective discussion mechanism" to coordinate opinions between the DPP and the government.
Responding to a call from a group of pan-green academics asking him to resign, Chen said that he humbly respected their opinions and believed they had made the request based on good intentions.
Additional reporting by CNA
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