Deep-greens weigh in on DPP hopefuls

A dog takes a nap as Democratic Progressive Party presidential hopeful Frank Hsieh, left, smiles while talking to attendants at an activity yesterday in Taipei marking international seeing-eye dog month. PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES

Four pro-independence heavyweights will give statements today expressing their views on the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) four presidential hopefuls -- who have recently discussed their platforms at presidential primary debates -- and on next year's presidential election.

Wu Li-pei (吳澧培), a former senior adviser to the president and a prominent pro-independence advocate, told the Taipei Times yesterday that they would not endorse any specific candidate or party, but would make a joint statement on the DPP's candidates and the election.

"Our opinions will be detached from parties and individuals because none of us are members of the DPP," he said.

In addition to Wu, former presidential adviser Peng Ming-min (彭明敏), Reverend Kao Chun-ming (高俊明) of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan and Reverend William Lo (羅榮光), secretary-general of the Taiwan-UN Alliance, are scheduled to attend the press conference this afternoon.

"Our opinions will be detached from parties and individuals because none of us are DPP members ."

Wu Li-pei, former senior adviser to President Chen Shui-bian

Wu said that former presidential adviser Koo Kwang-ming (辜寬敏) would not attend because he had already made his position known.

Koo ran a half-page ad in Chinese-language newspapers on Thursday expressing his views about the DPP's four presidential hopefuls, as well as the country's political situation and its relations with China and the US.

Koo asked former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) to offer a clear explanation of why he made a previous comment that "one China" is written into the Constitution and to explain his "vague middle way" path.

Koo complimented Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) as an "outstanding regional politician" but said he lacked experience in national governance, adding "there is something wrong with his political judgment."

Praising DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun for being someone who "represents Taiwan's values and preferences," Koo said Yu was a real politician who "courageously and honestly painted a future direction for the country and made correct political decisions."

Koo stopped short of endorsing Yu, however.

Koo made no mention of Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), who is also competing for the DPP nomination.

While Koo said in the ad that his "observations and judgment" tell him that the DPP's presidential candidate will be the country's next president, Wu said that he was not as certain.

"Didn't we hear many people say at the height of the corruption scandal concerning President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) `special affairs' fund last year that the DPP would be doomed in the next election?" he said.

"So now the DPP will definitely win the election?" he asked.

Wu said the DPP stood little chance of winning the election if its presidential aspirants continued to attack each other during their campaigns, adding that the country would be doomed if the DPP lost the election.