Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) yesterday criticized President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) as being "too talkative" as head of state, a trait which he said leaves the public confused as to his policy direction.
"As the leader of a country, he should concentrate on issues concerning the country's future," Lee told lawmakers.
Lee was also unhappy about Chen's recent decision to set up a "science and technology consultative committee" under the direction of the Presidential Office.
PHOTO: SUNG CHIH-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Lee argued that since Academia Sinica is already a think tank advising the president and already operates under Presidential Office supervision, it was "wrong" to set up another institution consisting of academics from the same educational institution.
"I've protested to the president over this matter," Lee said.
In response, Yu Shyi-kun, secretary-general to the Presidential Office, said he was sure Chen would take note of the criticisms.
Lee made the remarks at a meeting of the legislature's Science, Technology and Information Committee when he was asked by independent legislator Liao Hsueh-kuang (廖學廣) to comment on issues that he would like Chen to address.
The meeting was scheduled to hear Lee's briefing on Academia Sinica affairs, but lawmakers centered their questions around Lee's relationship with Chen rather than the content of Lee's report.
Lee, a Nobel laureate in chemistry who enjoys a high level of respect in Taiwan, openly threw his support behind Chen to boost the DPP's campaign during the weeks leading up to the March 18 presidential election.
In what has become a famous quotation, Lee described the race as a "struggle between uplifting and sinking forces" -- which respectively represented the DPP and the former ruling party, the KMT.
Lee's endorsement was widely believed by analysts as a crucial factor behind Chen's narrow victory.
Many KMT legislators yesterday asked Lee about his views on the DPP administration's performance -- particularly as public polls have shown Chen's approval rating drop 30 percent since Tang Fei's (唐飛) resignation as premier.
Lee replied by saying that he did not regret his decision to support Chen during the presidential campaign.
Lee also said he had recommended Chen to the Taiwanese people because he had faith in Chen's determination to lift up Taiwanese society.
Chen is still young and has the capacity to learn, so the people should give him some more time to adjust to his new position, Lee said.
"This is the first time in 50 years that Taiwan has seen a change of ruling party. There are many adjustments to be made," Lee said.
But KMT legislators were not convinced, criticizing Lee as being irresponsible and unwilling to admit to the failures of Chen and his administration.
"The new government has been in office for five months," said KMT legislator Lin Yi-shih (
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