Thu, Dec 08, 2005 page8

• Editorial: Actions speak louder than words

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  President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) finally made a public appearance yesterday, for the first time since skipping his presidential appointments on Monday and Tuesday after the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) resounding defeat in Saturday's elections.

  Chen's low-profile behavior has kept many commentators guessing as to the content of his conversations with the many high-ranking DPP officials that have visited his office over the past few days, as well as what he would say when he eventually makes a public statement.

  US business leader Harold Geneen once said that "leadership is practised not so much in words as in attitude and in actions." This also applies to Chen, as the importance will not be in what he says, but in what he actually does.

  Many pan-green supporters remain fearful of how the president might react to the defeat -- as they remember all too well what happened after the DPP's loss in last year's legislative elections.

  At that time, after staying out of the public eye for several days, Chen appeared in public and announced his intention to meet with People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜). The result of this was the "10-point consensus" that shocked so many pan-green supporters, who criticized Chen for surrendering to the "pro-unification" forces.

  Of course Saturday's results were a heavy blow to the DPP and the Chen administration.

  But things must be kept in perspective: these were only local elections, and too much importance should not be attached to them, however disappointing they were. They certainly do not indicate that the majority of Taiwanese favor the pan-blue camp's pro-China stance -- as many local media outlets and some foreign news wires have stated.

  While it is understandable that the president may want to map out the DPP's direction with fellow party heavyweights, it is hoped that they did more than discuss who will take up the party vacancies that have arisen as a result of the disastrous election campaign.

  After all, the people of Taiwan are more concerned about how their lives can be improved and where Taiwan is heading than which politician gets what.

  Chen should have used this time to re-equip himself with the kind of determination that was on display so often during his time as Taipei mayor. He should start by transforming his pledges into concrete actions.

  There are a lot of tasks awaiting his attention: for example, sticking to his promise to rectify the 18 percent preferential interest rate for retired public servants, soldiers and teachers, and pushing ahead with the proposed statute on improperly acquired party assets.

  When Chen won his first election in 2000, his biography, entitled Son of Taiwan (台灣之子), was published. The president should take a moment and look again at that book. He should engage in some soul-searching and remember the expectations that people had of him when they voted him into office almost six years ago.

  Difficult times are when true leadership shines through. Chen, who secured his election victories in 2000 and last year through the backing of the electorate, has the responsibility to live up to their expectations, which were to uphold the nation's interests.

  As long as he sticks to his guns and pushes ahead with effective polices that will help realize that goal, the people's confidence in him will soon be restored.

  After all, to quote Benjamin Franklin, "Well done is better than well said."

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