Taiwan Quick Take: Statement dismisses reports

The Presidential Office yesterday issued a press release dismissing a local media report that said acting Kaohsiung City Mayor Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭) would replace Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) as premier. "The report is a groundless rumor. There is no such plan. President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) supports Premier Su and his Cabinet and hopes they will not be affected by rumors aimed at creating divisions," the statement said. Yeh also dismissed the report when she was approached for comment yesterday. Cabinet Spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang (鄭文燦), who also brushed off the report, said: "We have been hearing these rumors over the past few days, but we have better things to do."