Two pro-Taiwan-independence senior presidential advisers, Koo Kwang-ming (
Other than Koo and Wu, National Policy Advisers Ng Chiau-tong (
The agreement was made during Thursday's "Bian-Soong" meeting, which included Chen's reiteration that he would not promote Taiwan's independence or change the country's official name during his term in office.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
The president paid too high a price in issuing the statement with Soong, Ng said. Ng is also the chairman of World United Formosans for Independence.
At the news conference yesterday held to announce his decision to resign, Koo said he found it "unforgivable" for Chen to ink an accord with Soong. Koo also branded it "inappropriate" for "a head of a state to sign a joint statement with the chairman of a civil organization."
Koo criticized Chen for what he perceived as a vacillating attitude toward constitutional reform.
"It is important for a leader to offer a sense of trustworthiness to people," Koo said. "I really don't know what to do with him [Chen]."
Koo also took a swipe at the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), saying that "There are many talented people in the party, but when a leader has made such a wrongheaded decision, there were no objections from the party about the issue."
Koo said he would also cancel his DPP membership, and that leaving the DPP did not mean he was forsaking his ideals.
"I will still dedicate myself to the promotion of writing a new constitution and changing the nation's official name to Taiwan," Koo said.
"I will watch what President Chen does, and if he is willing to turn back, we are still partners," he said.
Chen has more than 100 advisers from different political backgrounds.
During a gathering with the press yesterday afternoon, Vice President Annette Lu (
Chen Wen-tsung (陳文宗), director-general of the Presidential Office's Department of Public Affairs, yesterday said that the president has already instructed Presidential Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun to personally visit these advisers to try to dissuade them from resigning.
DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (
However, Koo did not change his mind, and insisted on resigning.
But Koo said that he would retain his DPP membership for a time to see whether the DPP will "correct" its line.
Additional reporting by Jewel Huang
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