The KMT was low key yesterday as it bid farewell to its former chairman, Lee Teng-hui (
The decision to revoke Lee's membership -- made by the party's Evaluation and Discipline Committee on Friday -- was reported to the Central Standing Committee yesterday.
PHOTO: FANG PIN-CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
It marked the last day that Lee's portrait would be displayed in the conference hall of the KMT headquarters, where the committee usually meets.
KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) kept silent on Lee's ouster during the meeting.
Vice Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) said the way Lien has dealt with Lee's discipline violations, never saying anything malicious about the former president, has set a good example for party members.
"[The KMT and Lee] cooperated well in the past and should part ways peacefully now. We should show due respect and politeness to a senior," Wu said.
However, Wu said the party should not keep silent. He said it should publicly clarify the string of false accusations made against the party.
Wu was referring to allegations by Lee and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) that the KMT has betrayed the pro-Taiwan and localization policies that Lee worked to implement during his 12 years in power.
Lee has also accused the KMT of straying from its anti-communist path and pandering to leaders in Beijing.
Wu called attention to the fact that the KMT is following Lee's cross-strait policies.
Wu noted that it was under Lee's leadership that Taiwan unilaterally terminated its aggressive stance toward China and renounced the use of force in resolving cross-strait problems.
Also, Lee offered to make a journey of peace to China to promote cross-strait cooperation, Wu said.
Chiang Ping-kun (
Chiang said that Lee's decision to side with the TSU was a loss for the nation. Lee's otherwise-neutral status as a retired president would have made him the most qualified mediator in the country, he said.
"There are major differences between the ruling and opposition parties. Lee was the only person qualified to act as a mediator," Chiang said.
On the future direction of the KMT, Chiang said the party should continue to pursue cross-strait peace and seek to build reciprocal ties with China.
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