Taiwan opposition to mull action on nuclear plant
Date: 30-Oct-00
Country: TAIWAN
"These discussions will not be limited to a vote of no-confidence in the cabinet or impeaching the president, but forming a consensus among opposition parties," said former provincial governor Soong, who heads the People First Party.
"Trust between the ruling and opposition sides is completely bankrupt," Soong said in televised comments. "Solving this problem by consulting the ruling party will be like climbing a tree to find fish."
Premier Chang Chun-hsiung announced on Friday his cabinet had decided to stop construction of the island's fourth nuclear power plant, igniting a bitter partisan feud in the legislature where the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds a minority.
While the historically anti-nuclear DPP says Taiwan has never resolved toxic waste problems, the opposition Nationalist, People First and New Parties fear power shortages in the future.
Although Soong's party holds only a handful of seats in parliament, the former Nationalist Party insider is a popular political figure who came only a few percentage points behind Chen's 39 percent win in the three-way presidential race.
Soong said he supported a no-confidence vote against the cabinet, but personally opposed impeaching the president as it would cause too much political turmoil.
His call for an opposition partnership also gained endorsement from Nationalist Party chairman Lien Chan, whose party dominates the lawmaking Legislative Yuan.
"I feel this is very correct. Everyone should discuss what is good for development and the people," Lien said.
The decision to halt construction of the plant, already one-third complete, was made just 30 minutes after a fence-mending meeting between Chen and Lien, a move the Nationalist chairman called "very rude, impolite, and childish".
The nuclear decision could also jeopardise Chen's decision to send former Nationalist premier Vincent Siew to represent Taiwan at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Siew told reporters he would have to wait for permission from the Nationalist Party's central committee before attending APEC, though he was willing to do whatever was best for the nation.
Siew was Chen's second choice to represent him at APEC, after diplomatic rival mainland China blocked his first choice, vice premier Lai In-jaw.