Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) said yesterday he plans to form a cross-party, multi-ethnic advocacy group after this weekend's elections -- a sign that his re-emergence in domestic politics won't end after the polls close on Saturday.
Lee, 78, who re-entered politics in June to give a hand to President Chen Shui-bian (
PHOTO: CHANG CHUNG-YI, TAIPEI TIMES
More than just a "think tank," Lee said, the group to be called "Taiwan Advocates" (
"It's a strategic alliance formed by the social elite -- irrespective of their political and ethnic background -- to promote integration in a multi-cultural society," Lee said at a rally for Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) candidates.
"The organization will attempt to find a common denominator ... through the integration of simple ideas. Its goal is to build a partnership with a government that shares [our] beliefs."
The former president said the advocacy group would only lend its support to a government that supports its vision of a better Taiwan.
Though Chen has proposed forming a "cross-party alliance for national stabilization" after the elections, Lee said yesterday that his plan and Chen's idea are unrelated.
The idea to form Taiwan Advocates had its genesis three months ago when the TSU was established, Lee said.
The former KMT chairman also said he didn't have information as to how Chen's "cross-party alliance" will be carried out, but he sees value in the plan and Taiwan Advocates will strive to assist the president.
In addition, Lee promised reporters yesterday that several big name supporters of the group will be announced when the organization holds its founding ceremony on Monday.
"You'll be surprised by some of its members," he said.
The broad range of nationalities represented by the group will help the government on the foreign affairs front, Lee said.
Several important political figures from Japan and the US plan to come to Taiwan or send their congratulations to demonstrate their support for Lee, according to reports.
Lee said that the formation of Taiwan Advocates was a part of his two-prong strategy to bring stability to Taiwan's politics.
"The formation of the TSU was stage number one. The party serves as a stepping stone for the establishment of Taiwan Advocates," Lee said.
"Now comes the founding of Taiwan Advocates, which intends to realign the country's political parties after the elections."
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