President Chen Shui-bian (
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is pushing for the two elections to be held together in order to save money. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has voiced support for the proposal.
"I don't have any personal preference and it is an issue open for debate," Chen said. "I don't mind shortening my term as long as it is beneficial to the people, the country and the democratic system."
Chen made the remarks in response to media inquiry during a ride on the high-speed rail yesterday morning.
As the DPP is also considering pushing forward the presidential primary, Chen said that he would not mind even if "the candidates are picked tomorrow."
Chen said that the party's nomination of presidential candidates were comparatively simpler in 2000 and 2004. It would be more competitive in the next presidential election because there were likely more aspirants in the race, he said.
Chen emphasized that the final candidates would be selected based on a democratic mechanism, but not necessarily a primary.
"We are open to all kinds of possibilities," he said.
When asked whether he would be willing to act as a go-between during the nomination process, Chen said that some people have said that his influence has waned and, as such, he is not qualified to serve as a middleman.
Some have even called him "box-office poison," he said.
"What's so great about the DPP is that there is a democratic mechanism in place to take care of the problem, so there is no need for my services," he said.
Chen also revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was organizing a trip for high-ranking officials to attend the inauguration ceremony of Nicaraguan president-elect Daniel Ortega next Wednesday.
Chen said that the ministry was in the process of negotiating with countries where the delegation would make transit stops and would make the details public when everything is finalized.
"If everything goes well and you can make it, I welcome your attendance," he said.
He did not say whether he would lead the delegation, however.
Regarding the health of first lady Wu Shu-jen (
Wu checked into the National Taiwan University Hospital on Dec. 15 after she nearly collapsed during the first session of her trial. She was indicted on corruption and forgery charges in connection with the alleged misuse of Chen's controversial "state affairs fund."
As his son-in-law was sentenced to six years in jail for insider trading, Chen said that his state of mind was like what he called the "spirit of the son of Taiwan."
"Many Taiwanese start with nothing but create infinite possibilities," he said.
"My political career is the same. I suffered a lot over the past year but I'm grateful for the criticisms of myself and the party as they allowed us to slow down and think about how we can do better," he said.
The Taipei Department of Health yesterday said it has launched a probe into a restaurant at Far Eastern Sogo Xinyi A13 Department Store after a customer died of suspected food poisoning. A preliminary investigation on Sunday found missing employee health status reports and unsanitary kitchen utensils at Polam Kopitiam (寶林茶室) in the department store’s basement food court, the department said. No direct relationship between the food poisoning death and the restaurant was established, as no food from the day of the incident was available for testing and no other customers had reported health complaints, it said, adding that the investigation is ongoing. Later
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