A pro-independence heavyweight yesterday urged the public to reject the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) in Saturday's legislative elections, saying the country will never change if people continue to support a party lacking the capacity for self-examination.
Former senior adviser to the president Koo Kwan-min (辜寬敏) urged voters to spurn any party that is anti-democratic and advocates eventual unification with China.
"It is time for those who still support the KMT to wake up," Koo said. "It is a misfortune to have a political party that is anti-democratic in the 21st century."
PHOTO: CNA
Koo made the remarks after placing advertisements in yesterday's editions of several Chinese-language newspapers. He said he placed the ads because he was angry at the KMT's recent decision to boycott the two referendums to be held concurrently with Saturday's elections.
Koo said referendums are important for Taiwan's democratic process and that it is natural to hold referendums during elections.
"The KMT's decision to boycott the two referendums makes me wonder whether it deserves to exist in Taiwan ? Isn't it a shame to have a party that is so firmly against the referendums and democracy?" he said.
As one of the referendums was initiated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to reclaim the KMT's stolen assets, Koo said the KMT's boycott showed its true colors and that it was out to protect its questionable party assets.
The KMT's stolen assets put the party on an unequal footing with other parties and only the return of those stolen assets to the treasury can put Taiwan's democratization on the right track, he said.
Koo also criticized the KMT for taking advantage of its legislative majority to implement a "scorched earth" policy and frustrate the country's democracy.
On the legislative elections, Koo said that he suspected the KMT would continue to dominate the legislature but may not obtain a two-thirds majority.
While the DPP hopes to garner 50 legislative seats, it would be considered a resounding defeat if it secures only 40, he said. However, Koo said he did not think a defeat in the legislative polls would deliver a blow to DPP candidate Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) presidential hopes, even if the DPP won only 20 legislative seats.
Koo said he did not think President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who doubles as DPP chairman, should step down as party chairman should the DPP lose because he is considered the party's best campaigner.
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
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS