The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) will negotiate with government agencies about whether government authorization is required before KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) embarks on his trip to China to talk with Chinese authorities, party authorities said yesterday.
"While no existing laws require political parties to acquire government authorization or permission before visiting China, we don't see at this moment the necessity of reporting to authorities or seeking government authorization," KMT Secretary-General Lin Feng-cheng (林豐正) quoted Lien as saying while reciting a statement Lien made about his future trip to China.
Lin, however, remained evasive about whether Lien will meet with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) before his departure.
"Chairman Lien has never ruled out the possibility to meet with President Chen even after an unpleasant experience in 2000," Lin said, referring to the Executive Yuan's abrupt announcement of halting the construction project of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant immediately after Lien's meeting with Chen.
Lin said that he was very curious to know whether, if Chen were in his shoes, he would accept an invitation to meet with someone who utters vitriolic remarks about him.
Lin was referring to the statement Chen made upon his return from his historic visit to the Vatican to attend Pope John Paul II's funeral.
If the political climate improves, Lin said, he "does not rule out the possibility of contacting" the president's staff to discuss Lien's meeting with the president.
"Sincerity is very important when it comes to meeting with political leaders," Lin said.
"If the president is serious about solving cross-strait problems, he should refrain from making venomous remarks about other people through the media," Lin said.
Lin also dismissed media reports criticizing him for turning his back on the president's invitation to meet when the Presidential Office telephoned him.
"It is a false accusation that we ignored the president's invitation," Lin said.
Lin said that a secretary at Presidential Office Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun's office had tried to get in touch with him a day before the president's meeting with People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜).
Lin then asked his staff to return the call and inquire about the purpose of the secretary's call but to no avail.
When asked whether Lien will leave for China after the National Assembly election slated for May 14, Lin said that they do not rule out such a possibility.
Lin said that he does not rule out the possibility of visiting China to arrange Lien's trip, if necessary.
Lin also said that Lien's visit will be conducted in "an open and transparent fashion."
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