In a bid to break the legislative deadlock between the ruling and opposition parties, the DPP yesterday made public a preliminary list of subjects to be discussed at a proposed inter-party leadership summit.
Topping the list are legislative and government reform and measures to improve the economy and cross-strait relations, according to Michael You (
You made the announcement after the first meeting of a special task force formed on Tuesday to help bring the conference to function.
Regarding KMT Chairman Lien Chan's (
The DPP platform declares that Taiwan is an independent sovereign state.
In expressing the DPP's sincerity about being open to a wide variety of views at the proposed conference, You noted that the National Development Conference in 1996 and the Economic Development Advisory Conference last August were events which demonstrated that national reform requires the participation of the opposition parties.
Chang Chun-hsiung (
He said that he has sought contact with his counterparts since last month, and that although none have as yet given a positive response, the effort would continue.
KMT spokesman Wu Ching-ji (吳清基) said on Wednesday that his party would not shun the conference, adding that, the opening up of direct links with China and the abolishment of the DPP's Taiwan independence platform are the two issues that most greatly concern the KMT.
PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) has said he would not attend the meeting unless President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) clarifies comments made by Presidential Office Secretary General Chen Shih-meng (陳師孟), who said that the conference should be held under an "anti-one China" premise.
The DPP administration has had a difficult time with the opposition since attaining power in 2000, with the KMT and PFP boycotting almost every policy tabled by Chen administration.
Chen regards the realization of the leadership conference as his first major challenge since assuming the party's chairmanship on Sunday.
Of the summit's timing, DPP officials say they want it held "the sooner, the better."
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