Print

Mail

wiki links

Lee likens rallies, sit-in to `civil war over democracy'

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) urged political leaders yesterday to end the sit-in and "anti-corruption" rallies, which he described as a "civil war over democracy."

Lee also said that he expected Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) to play a role in stabilizing the situation.

Lee made the comments on the campaign to oust President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) at a Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) forum on policymaking yesterday.

Likening the confrontation between members of the anti-Chen campaign launched by former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Shih Ming-teh (施明德) and members of the pro-Chen rally on Saturday to a "civil war over democracy," Lee said that taking to the streets or holding rallies will not solve the problems that have been tormenting the country.

He said he did not think the judiciary could settle the dispute or stabilize the political situation.

"The Legislative Yuan is the key to solving the current problems," Lee said.

"How to lead the Legislative Yuan in the right direction is significant," he added.

"In addition to establishing a sound system of law and order, I think having the right person in the right place is of the utmost importance," Lee said.

Lee then said that the biggest problem was that the Cabinet and the Legislative Yuan were unable to work with each other.

"That is the reason why Taiwan has been disorderly," Lee said.

Although Lee did not single out individuals during his speech, he was probably referring to Wang, a possible candidate to replace Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌).

Lee said that a good politician must be equipped with three qualities -- the will to get things done, good strategy and a capacity for quick action. Such individuals would have to have wisdom to resolve the current dispute, he said.

"It is useless to make distinctions between the blue, green or red camps," Lee said. "In fact, the TSU has held a neutral stance throughout this campaign."

Meanwhile, TSU Chairman Shu Chin-chiang (蘇進強) said yesterday that the TSU would not support any effort to topple the Cabinet, adding that Su had done nothing wrong.
This story has been viewed 2229 times.