DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian
Without saying directly that Lee would be his premier, Chen said, "With his unselfish love for Taiwan, I believe that Lee would seriously consider accepting my invitation to take a proper role in leading Taiwan [in working to counteract the forces pulling Taiwan downwards]."
Chen was referring to a recent speech made by Lee, in which the Nobel laureate called on people to make efforts to pull Taiwan upwards and stop its downward slide.
Lee, a leading figure in the intellectual community, has thrown his support behind Chen, calling for people to seize the opportunity to help reform society and get rid of "black gold [corruption and bribery]."
Answering questions yesterday, Chen did not clearly say whether Lee had promised to be his premier, only that: "I believe our countryman can realize what my earnest wish is."
"I will discuss the issue of organizing the new cabinet with president Lee Yuan-tseh on March 19," Chen said.
He also stressed that Lee was the only choice to arouse people to work for reform.
"With his distinguishing characteristics of transcending party, ethnicity and regional differences, Lee should serve in an important position in the government that I will establish after winning the election," Chen said.
Chen, a former Taipei mayor and legislator, said a DPP-led government would "deepen social reform, build a foundation for peace in the Taiwan Strait and a base for sustainable development."
Chen also said he would establish a special "921 disaster area recovery task force" to help rebuild areas shattered by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck central Taiwan on Sept. 21.
Dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the KMT government's earthquake recovery efforts was reportedly one of the reasons that Lee decided to leave his post Academia Sinca president and policy adviser to President Lee Teng-hui and openly support the Chen.
Chen also reaffirmed that Lee would be the best representative for Taiwan to improve cross-strait relations in the future.
"With his wisdom, erudition, vision and reputation, Lee can certainly create advantageous conditions for maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait through the negotiation process."
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