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Chen to consult KMT on Cabinet

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said he intends to consult with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) on the possible candidates to succeed outgoing Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄), adding the appointment would be "sorted out" by Monday at the earliest, the Presidential Office said yesterday.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) met Chen at the Presidential Office yesterday.

Hsieh has suggested to Chen that the new premier be a chief executive officer (CEO) from the business sector.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said the CEO plan was well-received by the public because people want a stable political environment and worry that the new KMT-dominated legislature, scheduled to be sworn in next Friday, would obstruct a Cabinet led by Chang.

Chang called a provisional Cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon, where he led Cabinet members to resign, four days earlier than scheduled.

Hsieh said the president would negotiate with the KMT.

"If the KMT refuses, it would fall on the president to form a Cabinet," Hsieh said. "The KMT [together with its small allies] has a three-quarter majority in the new legislature, its opinions should be taken into consideration."

In response, KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday he respected the president's right to form a caretaker Cabinet. As long as it fulfilled its duties, he said, the KMT would not intervene.

KMT spokesman Huang Yu-chen (黃玉振) last night confirmed that KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) had met Chen Shui-bian yesterday morning.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MO YAN-CHIH
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