JUNE 2012

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang visits Legislative Yuan

On the first week of June, DPP Chair Su Tsengchang paid a visit to the Legislative Yuan in his capacity as chair of the party. He exchanged views with Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pying and delivered a speech in front of members of the DPP Legislative Caucus. The new session of the Legislative Yuan started on February 1st. The DPPs forty legislators have set their eyes on representing the voices of the Taiwanese public despite the KMT having majority. Chair Su praised the DPP Legislative Caucus for improving the DPPs image, and for protecting the interests of the Taiwanese public.

Chair Su explained that the purpose of visiting the Legislative Yuan this time was to express his gratitude to DPP legislators on behalf of the party, also conveying his wishes to see greater cooperation between the party and the legislature. I look forward to the DPP Headquarters and our Legislative Caucus in working together and combine the power of policy and think tanks in order to make the DPP become greater and better in fulfilling the expectations of the people, he said. In his speech to the DPPs Legislative Caucus, Chair Su said that he believed the government in power has the responsibility to resolve the peoples sufferings and difficulties.

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JUNE 2012

He observed it was regretful that society is currently in chaos with ministers stepping down, investors lacking confidence to invest, and the political situation showing instability. This, he said, is the result of failed policy mistakes by the government, which has made the public have doubts on the Ma Administrations capabilities. Chair Su also ensured DPP legislators that he was well aware of the responsibilities that the DPP needed to fulfill as the largest opposition party in Taiwan. He said extra efforts were needed to review the current policy changes proposed by the Ma Yingjeou Administration that are causing uneasiness not only among the general public, but also in the private sector. He was referring to the governments announcement on the dual increase in oil and electricity prices, the introduction of a capital gains tax on securities transactions, the opening of imports of beef containing ractopamine as well as inappropriate nominations to the National Communications Commission (NCC).

In regards to the opening of beef containing ractopamine, Chair Su said the DPP Headquarters absolutely supported the proposal by the DPPs Legislative Caucus on a zero-tolerance to ractopamine, which follows the same guidelines as those imposed by the EU. He encouraged DPP legislators to stand with the public and protect and promote health and food safety. During this times visit to the Legislative Yuan, Chair Su was accompanied by Secretary-General Lin Hsi-yao; Deputy Secretary Generals Lee Chun-yi and Lin Yu-chang; Policy Research Committee Executive Director Joseph Wu and Deputy Director Huang Chih-tah, also from the Policy Research Committee.

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JUNE 2012

Torrential rain lashes Taiwan, DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang urges KMT to prioritize relief
On June 12, DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang visited the South, stopping in Tainan City, Kaohsiung City and Pintung County, areas where torrential rains have caused major disruptions with landslides and flooding. Chair Su exchanged ideas with Tainan City Mayor Lai Ching-te, Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chu and Governor Tsao Chi-hung from Pintung County. Chair Su used his his experience as former governor of two counties and as premier of Taiwan to discuss what the government can do in cases of major flooding. At the same time, Chair Su appealed the KMT to prioritize relief for the victims affected by the torrential rains. The KMT Legislative Caucus continued to insist on continuing the legislative session to deal with the dispute of US beef, despite the urgent need for more attention to the natural disaster at hand. Flooding and flooding prevention is a bipartisan issue, he said. Therefore, the DPP absolutely supports any initiative by the government to implement reconstruction and ease the peoples suffering. Chair Su urged the KMT Legislative Caucus to call for a temporary recess in order for the legislators representing the affected areas return and help those in need. He strongly emphasized that disas-

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JUNE 2012

...torrential rain lashes Taiwan

ter relief took priority over the US beef importation issue even though the DPP was still concerned over public health. In Tainan City, Chair Su accompanied Mayor Lai Ching-te in visiting districts affected by flooding and mudslides. The following day, Chair Su presided over the DPPs Central Standing Committee Meeting, focusing on the DPPs efforts in helping victims affected by the rain. Chair Su said it was regrettable that the KMT legislature was unwilling to call a recess. He said that since DPP legislators were unable to return to their represented areas in order to assist the relief effort, he urged DPP administrators in cities and counties to exert all efforts in the relief.

DPP passes resolution urging Former President Chen Shui-bians release for medical treatment
The DPPs Central Standing Committee discussed the current medical conditions of Former President Chen Shui-bian on June 27, passing a resolution that calls for his release in order to obtain the appropriate medical treatment. Mr. Ko Wen-je, director, Department of Traumatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, was invited as guest speaker to deliver a report regarding Former President Chens present health conditions. After the meeting, DPP Spokesperson Lin Chunhsian announced that the DPPs Central Standing Committee passed the resolution in order to make a call for civic groups to actively rally for the case. DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang has said that everyones objective should be unanimous, which is to combine our actions into something powerful! Spokesperson Lin said. Chair Su has also expressed concerns over the health status of Former President Chen, having already visited him twice, and repeatedly calling on the government to release him on medical parole. Spokesperson Lin said that at this times Central Standing Committee Meeting, Chair Su said that the DPP has been paying close attention to the medical conditions of Former President Chen. Before Chair Su assumed the chairmanship, Acting Chair Chen Chu, who presided over the Central Standing Committee meetings of March 28 and April 11, twice appealed for the government to con-

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JUNE 2012

... Former President Chen Shui-bian

sider the humanitarian treatment of Former President Chen. Chair Su has further said that a great deal of controversy and confrontation among society could be aroused if Former President Chen encounters any negligence while in prison. He said that it might be possible that Former President Chens health has deteriorated from his current living conditions, and he further appealed for his release mainly because of health reasons. Lastly, Chair Su made an appeal to the public to look at the issue from a broader perspective. If this matter can be satisfactorily resolved, I believe Taiwan will be able to progress further, said Chair Su.

DPP demands President Ma Ying-jeou to act against corruption in his administration

Close to the end of June, Next Media Magazine reported a bribery scandal involving Executive Yuan Secretary General Lin Yi-shih, a protg of President Ma Ying-jeou considered to be a promising star in his cabinet team. Lin Yi-shih started his political career as part of the KMTs Youth Committee, and then served as the KMTs vice chairman and executive director of the Policy Committee, posts considered to be admirable serving for his young age. After Lin lost his bid for re-election as legislator this year, he was appointed to become the secretary general of the Executive Yuan under Premier Chen Chong. Responding to the Next Media report, DPP Spokesperson Lin Chun-hsian held a press conference on June 27, making a strong demand to President Ma Ying-jeou to act immediately against corruption. Spokesperson Lin also urged the authorities to turn over Lin Yi-shihs case to the legal system. Spokesperson Lin said, President Ma Ying-jeou concluded his first term with labels of incompetence and constant apology, and now his first term has started with allegations of corruption. We strongly appeal President Ma to request the resignation of Mr. Lin and send his case to the legal authorities. Spokesperson Lin also said that President Ma Ying-jeou has claimed honesty to be one of his administrations most outstanding characteristics, but as this scandal broke out, it is questionable whether President Ma has any grasp of his administrative team, showing further incompetence. Spokesperson Lin lastly commented that this scandal will not only make President Ma Ying-jeou loose credibility among the general public, but also among his party.

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JUNE 2012

KMT Administration makes false statements about DPPs stand on US beef

President Ma Ying-jeous Administration has been making false statements about the way the former DPP Administration handled US beef imports. On June 17, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Hu Yu-wei said that the Taiwanese people have already consumed 10,000 tons of US beef as a result of the then-DPP Administration allowing the importation of US beef. On June 18, DPP Spokesperson Lin Chunhsian issued a statement reiterating the DPPs consistent position regarding US beef. The DPP is not anti-US beef or anti-U.S. he said. The only issue that the DPP is opposed is the domestic use and importation of any livestock that has consumed the ractopamine drug. DPP Spokesperson Lin said that the DPPs policy toward US beef has been consistent, and on the contrary, it is President Ma who has been flip-flopping on the issue. He said that in October 2006, the then-DPP Administration had issued an executive order banning ractopamine-laced beef, and the DPP continues to stand by this position. On the contrary, President Ma has clearly shown a change in policy since re-assuming the presidency, he said. Before President Ma assumed office in 2008, his campaign policy showed that he was against the allowance of ractopamine meat imports, in order to protect public health as well as the domestic pig farming industry. Additionally, during the four years of President Mas Administration from 2008 to 2012, there had been no talks about reversing the ban on ractopamine. Spokesperson Lin questioned the sudden change in President Mas policy since re-assuming office in 2012. Providing the example of the KMTs previous stance, DPP Spokesperson Lin cited literature published in a statement issued on August 20, 2007 in the Ma-Hsiao Campaign website. The statement read: It is the governments mission to protect public health. The entire world, including the EU and 160 countries, ban the use of ractopamine, and this is also supported by our domestic pig farming industry. We are willing to shoulder the responsibility of protecting consumer interests. Why should the government ignore the threat of ractopamine and lift this ban? Additionally, DPP Spokesperson Lin said that President Ma had also previously stated, From the perspectives of either the health interests of 23 million consumers or the NT60 billion pig farming industry, banning ractopamine fulfills the WTO principles of national treatment. In regards to allowing the importation of ractopamine-laced pork and forbidding domestic pig farmers from using the drug is a one country, two systems formula, for which we cannot identify with. DPP Spokesperson Lin emphasized that President Ma, who previously opposed ractopamine, is now unethically pushing the Legislative Yuan to change this policy, requesting them to hold a provisional session solely to deal with this issue when other pressing matters are more important for the nation.

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JUNE 2012

CALD, LI congratulate DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang

The President of Liberal International, Mr. Hans van Baalen, MEP, and Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) Chair, Mr. Sam Rainsy, MP, sent letters congratulating Chair Su Tsengchang as the head of the DPP. In his letter to Chair Su, Mr. van Baalen says, Liberal International has continuously and explicitly supported the exclusive right of the Taiwanese to decide on their future. I was very much inspired by the ambitions to secure a better future for Taiwan that you put forward in your inauguration speech. Mr. van Baalen also emphasized, The sovereign right of the Taiwanese people to determine their own future in freedom, the fair and equal extension of social justice to all and the assurance of development in a way that is sustainable and

responsible for all generations are important issues that are central to the betterment of the quality of life in Taiwan. Concluding his letter, Mr. van Baalen extended an invitation for Chair Su to attend the upcoming 58th Congress, which will be held in October of this year in Cte dIvoire. In the CALD congratulatory letter, CALD Chair Sam Rainsy wrote, We are confident that with your proven competence and experience as founding DPP member and former Premier, you would be able [to] sustain and build on the gains of former DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen, towards a stronger DPP that is ready to take the helm of power and implement a programme of government that truly caters to the in... continued on the next page

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 terests of Taiwanese people. The DPP is a founding member of CALD, which was established in 1993. Member parties of CALD include the Liberal Party of the Philippines, the Democrat Party of Thailand, the Civil Will Party of Mongolia, the Parti Gerakan Rakyat of Malaysia and the Singapore Democratic Party.

JUNE 2012

The DPP joined LI in 1988, and members of LI include the Liberal Democrats of the UK, the Free Democratic Party of Germany, the Liberal Party of Canada and the Democratic Alliance of South Africa, among others.

DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang sends letter to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi expressing full support to democratization in Burma
Commemorating the first time overseas trip by Burmas democracy activist and MP Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi since her arrival to Burma, ensuing house arrest and recently elected member of parliament, DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang sent a letter of support to Ms. Suu Kyi. In his letter, Chair Su sent his best wishes for her role in a safe and democratic transition for Burma. Chair Su also congratulated Ms. Suu Kyi on her recent trip to Oslo, where she accepted in person the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to her in absentia in 1991. I wanted to convey to you our utmost admiration to your remarkable commitment to promoting freedom and democracy in Burma throughout the years, wrote Chair Su in the letter. Your courage and tireless efforts have lead to a new era in Burmas history and have inspired all of us around the world. In his letter, Chair Su also expressed his wishes to continue the close cooperation with Ms. Suu Kyis party, the National League of Democracy (NLD). Last year in August, a delegation comprised of DPP women leaders, including legislators Bikhim Hsiao, Yeh Yi-jin and Kaohsiung City Deputy Mayor Liu Shih-fang, paid a visit to Ms. Suu Kyis residence and to the headquarters of the NLD in Rangoon.

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JUNE 2012

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

PUBLISHED BY: Department of International Aairs Democratic Progressive Party 9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Road, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306 Fax: 886-2-2393-0342 Email: foreign@dpp.org.tw Website: http://www.dpp.org.tw

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