Coming under heavy fire from opposition parties for saying Thursday that his administration has "removed the rocks from our track," President Chen Shui-bian (
"It was a reference to the DPP, which, although it is the ruling party, has been so vocal and fulsome in its criticism of the new government during the past four months, that it has obstructed the new government's development," said Chen as he inspected an industrial park in Changhua County.
Chen said that the public should not associate his remark with the Cabinet reshuffle that followed the resignation of former premier Tang Fei (唐飛). He said that the DPP shouldered the lion's share of responsibility for the smooth running of the government.
On Thursday Chen said, "We recognize that the government had problems during the past four and a half months, just like a train which is jolted because the track is bumpy, but we have removed the rocks from our track ... The train has been repaired and can now get back on the track."
Opposition parties immediately complained that Chen's remarks were an insult to Tang Fei, who resigned as premier on Tuesday night, saying that the president's "improper comments" had revealed his "blunt character."
A Presidential Office official told the media on Thursday night that the word "rocks" was a symbol for issues, including the "old bureaucracy."
People First Party (PFP) lawmakers, however, still said yesterday that Chen was dishonorable, saying "Tang was not the rock, although some Cabinet members might be considered small rocks."
"And if Chen did not realize what people really expect, then he is the big rock obstructing our country's economic development," said PFP legislative caucus leader Chen Chao-jung (陳朝容).
KMT lawmaker Chen Horng-chi (陳鴻基) said that he was confused by the president's remarks. "It made me feel that Chen is an ungrateful politician who abandoned Tang and even kicked him as he left."
Meanwhile, DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh (
Leaders of the DPP's New Tide faction (新潮流系) said the party would engage in self-reflection and, henceforth, support the government. Members of the New Tide faction have often been critical of the Chen administration.
"Some DPP factions have had different ideas from President Chen in the past months. But now the DPP should be completely as one with the government," said DPP lawmaker Lee Wen-chung (李文忠). "And if the president has pointed the finger at us, we accept this and will reflect on the situation."
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old
SEA SEARCH: Nine crew members of a cargo ship had taken to the water after the vessel sunk off the southern coast, with a rescue effort under way, officials said The strongest typhoon to hit Taiwan in eight years yesterday killed three people and flooded parts of the nation’s second-biggest city, while rescuers were searching for nine sailors after their cargo ship sank in the storm. Typhoon Gaemi transformed streets in Kaohsiung into rivers, with some households flooded. Offices and schools were closed for the second consecutive day, with thousands of people evacuated. Three people died and 380 were injured due to strong winds and torrential rainfall brought by Typhoon Gaemi, the Central Emergency Response Center said. The typhoon made landfall in Yilan County’s Nanao Township (南澳) at midnight yesterday and departed Taiwan
Taiwanese athletes yesterday and on Saturday edged closer to winning a medal in a strong showing in the first two days of the Paris Olympics. Taiwanese badminton ace Tai Tzu-ying (戴資穎) defeated Belgium’s Lianne Tan in the group stage of the women’s singles yesterday. Although Tai has not played in any professional competitions in the past three months due to injuries and Olympic preparations, the Taiwanese dispatched Tan in a swift 38 minutes, winning 21-15, 21-14. It was Tai’s third consecutive career victory over Tan. The 30-year-old Taiwanese was next to play longtime friend and rival, Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon, in the group stage. Per Olympic