DPP candidates respond to president's call for unity

Former Democratic Progressive Party chairman Lin I-hsiung, third in line, and other members of the Nuke-4 Referendum Initiative Association demostrate in Taichung City yesterday for amendments to the Referendum Law. PHOTO: CNA

The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) four presidential hopefuls yesterday gave mixed responses to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) appeal for unity and self-restraint in the party.

Troubled by the recent war of words between the party's four presidential contenders and their supporters, Chen on Friday urged Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun and former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) to refrain from pointing the finger at each other over their administrative polices in the past seven years.

Su yesterday said he had always called for unity because the DPP's enemy is outside the party.

"Don't turn competition into infighting and don't internalize party rivalries because it is easy to become the political fodder of opposition parties," he told reporters before attending a debate organized by the party at the Grand Hotel in Taipei yesterday morning.

Su also dismissed speculation that he had offered to resign, although he admitted that it was hard for him to campaign and perform his governmental duties at the same time.

While Su and Hsieh locked horns during the debate, Su told reporters after the event that he did not mean to criticize Hsieh, but only to point out that he has just carried on with the tasks that were left to him by his predecessor.

When asked for further comments, Hsieh said he felt ashamed because he had not expected the president to have to order the four DPP aspirants to stop attacking each other.

"We should all be like this [stop attacking each other] for the sake of party unity, the public's impression [of us] and DPP supporters' feelings," he said.

Hsieh dismissed the possibility the exchange of "fire" between him and the other contenders during the debate might damage party unity.

"After the debate, everyone should stay united and continue to fight for Taiwan's common goals," he said.

Lu tried to downplay the fray between Su and Hsieh, saying: "The DPP is not that fragile."

"This is not the first time we have held a primary and the exchange of ideas will only bring us closer together," she said.

Yu also emphasized party unity.

"Matters of right and wrong, ideals and policies should all be deliberated," he said. "But no personal attacks should be made."