Four pro-independence heavyweights will give statements today expressing their views on the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) four presidential hopefuls -- who have recently discussed their platforms at presidential primary debates -- and on next year's presidential election.
Wu Li-pei (吳澧培), a former senior adviser to the president and a prominent pro-independence advocate, told the Taipei Times yesterday that they would not endorse any specific candidate or party, but would make a joint statement on the DPP's candidates and the election.
"Our opinions will be detached from parties and individuals because none of us are members of the DPP," he said.
PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
In addition to Wu, former presidential adviser Peng Ming-min (
Wu said that former presidential adviser Koo Kwang-ming (
Koo ran a half-page ad in Chinese-language newspapers on Thursday expressing his views about the DPP's four presidential hopefuls, as well as the country's political situation and its relations with China and the US.
Koo asked former premier Frank Hsieh (
Koo complimented Premier Su Tseng-chang (
Praising DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun for being someone who "represents Taiwan's values and preferences," Koo said Yu was a real politician who "courageously and honestly painted a future direction for the country and made correct political decisions."
Koo stopped short of endorsing Yu, however.
Koo made no mention of Vice President Annette Lu (
While Koo said in the ad that his "observations and judgment" tell him that the DPP's presidential candidate will be the country's next president, Wu said that he was not as certain.
"Didn't we hear many people say at the height of the corruption scandal concerning President Chen Shui-bian's (
"So now the DPP will definitely win the election?" he asked.
Wu said the DPP stood little chance of winning the election if its presidential aspirants continued to attack each other during their campaigns, adding that the country would be doomed if the DPP lost the election.
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