Criticism of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian continued to come from
opposition party leaders and scholars after he said he'd cede
powers amid scandals, according to reports from Taipei.
Chen announced at a meeting on Wednesday that he'd "clarify his
position," "conduct reformation" and "cede powers" promising he and
his family would "conduct themselves according to the highest
ethical standards."
Chen would retain the powers granted by the "constitution" and
hand over all other Party and administrative powers to officials,
according to his announcement.
Many opposition party leaders and scholars said Chen was forced
to cede powers but still he had to take responsibility for a series
of scandals involving his family and the administration.
Kuomintang (KMT) Party chairman Ma ying-jeou said it wasn't bad
for Chen to try to "clarify himself" but he had to make it clear
whether he and his wife were aware of, or involved in, any
scandals.
Chang Hsien-yao, director of Taiwan's opposition People First
Party's (PFP) policy research center, said Chen's statement was a
result of a power struggle within his Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP).
PFP would resolutely oppose Chen and continue to call for his
resignation, Chang said, and all the scandals should be brought out
into the open.
Some Taiwan scholars believe Chen is a "lame duck" now and if he
fails to clear himself of the scandals, public trust in the DPP
would continue falling.
Last Thursday, Chen's son-in-law was detained on suspicion of
insider share trading in a government-owned property company.
Earlier the opposition had accused Chen's wife of other financial
wrongdoings.
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2006)