The KMT formally announced yesterday it would allow Minister of National Defense Tang Fei (唐飛) to act as premier under the new DPP government -- a decision observers have said the KMT had little choice over. The decision will make Tang the first member of a non-ruling party to take the post.
KMT spokesperson Jason Hu (胡志強) said Tang would participate as an individual and not as a member of his party, and that the KMT would not encourage its other members to follow.
"In the absence of party-to-party negotiations, the KMT will not encourage its members to join the new Cabinet or endorse such behavior," Hu said.
Tang, who is a veteran party member, was chosen for the post by President-elect Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) two weeks ago.
Tang accepted, pending permission from the party. In a letter to KMT headquarters last week, Tang cited heightened cross-strait tensions and national security concerns as his reasons for taking the post.
Analysts said Tang would help Chen build support in the military and ease relations in the KMT-dominated legislature.
"Tang Fei's planned appointment is generally welcomed by the public. The Nationalists have no choice but to agree. They cannot afford to defy the public," Soochow University political scientist Emile Sheng said.
"The election defeat has forced the KMT to deal with an internal power struggle, leaving them powerless to bargain with the DPP," Sheng said.
Hu said party chairman Lien Chan (連戰) had only given permission "as requested," and that Tang will cease all participation in party activities.
Tang, who has said he would never quit his party to take up the new post offered him, has said he was torn between loyalty to the KMT and serving the country.
"My wife is worried my body would be smashed into pieces if I accepted this job, but how can I enjoy the rest of my life if there is no country," Tang said.
Tang, aged 68, was born in China's Jiangsu Province and is a career soldier.
During his more than 50 years in service, Tang served as ROC Air Force Academy superintendent, commanding general of the Combat Air Command, Air Force commander-in-chief and Chief of the General Staff.
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