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Ma sees role for KMT-CCP in cross-strait talks

Central Election Commission Chairman Chang Cheng-hsiung, right, stands next to president-elect Ma Ying-jeou, second right, and vice president-elect Vincent Siew, second left, as they show off their election certificates at the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) headquarters in Taipei yesterday. PHOTO: CNA

President-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday that the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) would take charge of future cross-strait negotiations, but the party-to-party communication platform between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may still remain.

"After we assume office, cross-strait negotiations will be handled through the [SEF] system we had established more than a decade ago," Ma said after a one-hour meeting with former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰).

"[Any negotiations] will be arranged by the SEF and their [China's] Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits [ARATS]," he said.

Ma said that the communication channel between the KMT and the CCP could still function because it plays a different role from that of the SEF in cross-strait communication.

Ma said the SEF and the ARATS would be entrusted to "complete" what the KMT and the CCP had agreed on in past KMT-CCP forums.

He said there would be a clear division of work between the SEF and the party channel, because only the SEF is authorized by the government to sign official agreements such as how to protect Taiwanese investors in China.

Ma said Lien had provided him with ideas about how to create a win-win cross-strait relationship and how to employ certain people.

However, Ma dismissed speculation that he had invited Lien to serve as SEF chairman.

Asked for comment, Lien said the KMT would like to create a win-win situation across the Taiwan Strait based on peace, reciprocity and cooperation.

When asked how the KMT would push the communication forum between the KMT and the CCP in the future, Lien said both parties had exchanged ideas on issues such as direct links, tourism and agriculture, adding that he hoped the SEF and the ARATS would also work hard to deal with these issues.

In related news, Ma and vice president-elect Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) yesterday received the Central Election Commission's presidential and vice presidential certificates from commission Chairman Chang Cheng-hsiung (張政雄) at a ceremony held at KMT headquarters in Taipei.

Accepting the certificate, Ma said that despite the light weight of the paper, he anticipated heavy burdens and responsibilities would fall on his and Siew's shoulders after they take office on May 20.

Ma called on everyone to "roll up their sleeves" right away and help the incoming KMT administration in formulating policies.

"Starting May 20, my platform will be converted into policies and policies will be translated into budgets, which hopefully will help to bring some of my campaign promises to fruition soon," Ma said.

Ma reiterated his promise to be a "president for the people," adding that he would unite the nation and establish a clean government.

For his part, Siew said that he had heard the public's voice on the campaign trail over the past few months, and he pledged that he and Ma would definitely deliver on their promises.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CNA
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