Sat, Nov 04, 2000 page8

• Editorial: Bring Lee in to resolve stand-off

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  The gladiatorial grudge match between the ruling and opposition parties was postponed yesterday as the Legislative Yuan delayed a vote on a proposal for a recall of the president and vice president. If this represents a lack of opposition zeal in pursuing what is a frivolous and vindictive measure, it is good news. If, however, it just marks a respite before attacking with renewed energy, there is still much to fear. In the next few days, both sides may go all out to win votes and even more fierce street confrontations could take place, intensifying the polarization of society. Or communication and negotiation could be speeded up, facilitating some sort of reconciliation.

  The idea of a recall motion has escalated from a legislative issue into street protests. The office of Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) was besieged Thursday and yesterday by protesters and violence ensued. In front of the Legislative Yuan, people rallied to oppose the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (核四) and the recall of the president. The highly emotional crowd blocked entry into the legislature.

  Both DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) and Secretary-General Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) have called on their party members to stay calm. They indicated the DPP will not tolerate irrational behavior. The verbal warnings have proved ineffective. Though the DPP is now the ruling party, some of its members still see political confrontations through mass demonstrations as the only way to get their views heard. If the DPP cannot discipline its members and supporters, and confine its political confrontations to the legislature, violence will spread and Taiwan's political development will suffer as a result.

  The secretaries-general of the three opposition parties held a joint meeting yesterday for the first time, in which they swore to act in the interest of the people of Taiwan. The parties would be wise to take note of the mood of the people. Although most people oppose the discontinuation of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, more than half of them also oppose the current move to recall the president. Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) administration has certainly made mistakes, but so far its errors do not warrant a recall.

  Without the justification of popular support, recalling a president who has been in office less than six months for failing to get his government on track and for dissatisfaction over his handling of administrative policy seems unreasonable. In addition, between the proposal of recall and a popular vote on the issue, our society will undergo half a year of chaos. The enormous social costs are not a price that Taiwan's fragile economy can afford.

  The New Wave Faction (新浪潮) of the DPP has expressed a willingness to seek reconciliation. An apology by Chen and the DPP's legislators, allowing the Council of Grand Justices to rule on the nuclear power plant controversy -- really a constitutional issue about the limits of the executive branch's authority -- establishing a negotiation mechanism with the opposition parties and the formation of a coalition government if no party garners more than 50 percent of the seats in next year's legislative election -- all of these are reasonable and viable options.

  The question is how will the opposition and ruling party find a way out of their current standoff? Since Chen lacks an impartial stance on the nuclear plant controversy, we suggest that former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) be invited to host a meeting to resolve the issue. In terms of political weight, connections and experience, Lee is the best candidate for the role of political arbitrator. The leaders of the opposition and ruling parties will respect and trust him. This would be the fastest way to resolve the political storm.
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