Just eight hours after leaving the scene of his election celebration the previous night, President-elect Chen Shui-bian (
"It was the last wish of chairman Huang to see the DPP win the election. Now that we have, I must share this moment with him," Chen said, upon approaching the graveyard in Pali, Taipei County.
Accompanied by Vice President-elect Annette Lu (
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
Lu said she regretted that Huang could not live long enough to see the democratic achievements he had worked for, but she said Chen and herself would carry the flame of his spirit in their endeavors to strengthen Taiwan's democracy over the next four years.
Their concerns were quickly brought back to the task at hand, however, as reporters quizzed the pair on their plans for the period up until their May 20 inauguration.
During the trip to the graveyard, Chen had confirmed that President Lee Teng-hui (
Yet before Chen and Lu could engage in preparations for building their own administration, there was still some thanks to give elsewhere, they said.
Chen and Lu made their first stop at the Central Election Commission (CEC,
However, Chen gave a hint of his plans for government reform during a meeting with Huang Shih-cheng (
He suggested that "impartial social figures" should be employed to carry out the functions of the commission at the central and local government levels, rather than government officials.
Next on the schedule was Ting Yuan-chin (
Speculation has been rife that Ting might be pulled into Chen's Cabinet as Minister of the Interior, as Chen had said prior to the election that a police officer would be his ideal candidate for the post.
Yesterday, however, Chen was giving nothing away, saying only that the appointment would need the input of the future premier.
It was not all plain sailing yesterday, as Chen had to respond to the protests in front of President Lee's residence and outside the KMT headquarters.
Chen said all three of the previous candidates had an obligation to stabilize the political situation.
"The end of the election is the beginning of reconciliation," he said, calling on supporters of James Soong, who formed the nucleus of the protest, to respect the country's leader regardless of political affiliation.
Chen set off later in the evening for stops at two major temples in Taipei.
A large crowd gathered to greet him at Hsintien Temple on Minsheng East Road.
"Hello, Mr President!" they chanted in unison.
Ten minutes after making an offering to the temple's gods, Chen's entourage set off for Lungshan Temple in the Wanhua (
Temple officials beat drums and rang bells to welcome the president-elect, while neighborhood residents set off firecrackers.
Considering the task that lies ahead of Chen and Lu, staff aides said, it was with relief that they then called it a day.
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