The public should ask former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Shih Ming-teh (施明德), who initiated the anti-Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) demonstrations, if he has an exit plan rather than asking the administration, DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday.
"It seems as if the media are helping him to force the DPP to come up with an exit plan for him," Yu said. "I'm in favor of dialogue and negotiation and I'd be very interested in being part of it if there is such an opportunity. However, it would be a better idea for Shih himself to think of a plan to end the street protests he started."
Yu made the remarks yesterday morning while addressing a forum organized by the DPP to discuss constitutional reform.
The DPP's Central Executive Committee is scheduled to discuss, and finalize, its version of constitutional amendments when the committee meets on Oct. 4.
Yu said that the administration was duty-bound to protect the right of legal assembly and marches, but Shih and his followers should go home after they fully express their opinions.
"Things should go back to normal and people must switch their focus to improving the economy," he said.
Claiming that the "red terror" created by Shih's anti-Chen campaign was related to constitutional reform, Yu said the violence that had broken out over the past few days between supporters and opponents of Chen had a lot to do with the non-peaceful means adopted by Shih's camp.
The problem was compounded by some media outlets' around-the-clock broadcasts of the protests and protest organizers' use of provocative language.
"The media are in fact a source of violence," he said. "I'm asking them to exercise self-restraint and refrain from running sensational reports or footage of the demonstrations."
Yu also asked those who use peace and honesty as a pretext to stir up unrest to stop such actions, and urged them to instead commit themselves to pushing for constitutional reform.
Commenting on the remark by former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) that the DPP had mobilized its members to counter Shih's campaign, Yu said that his party did not organize the counter-protest and that protesters attended the rally voluntarily.
Lee also said that Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
Yu yesterday said that dialogue was good no matter who called the meeting.
DPP legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said that he did not think that anyone could resolve the current political deadlock.
"The time is not yet ripe," he said. "The problem must eventually be resolved through political negotiations, but I don't see any opportunity for that happening now."
Ker said that he agreed with Lee that Ma was not a suitable person to invite political leaders for a meeting to help defuse political tensions.
"Ma, who has lost objectivity in the handling of his party's ill-gotten assets, cannot play a good role," Ker said. "If he wants to fight against corruption, shouldn't he release his party's assets first?"
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS