From: lwang@mariner.amc.edu.au (Luo Wang)
Subject: After Election: Crisis for KMT
Organization: Australian Maritime College
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 92 07:01:30 GMT

After Election: Crisis for KMT 
Forwarded by lwang@mariner.amc.edu.au without permition
Originally forwarded by: Tina Tong <skn1@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>
Source: SCMP, 12/21/1992
 
The secretary-general of KMT, Dr James Soong, offered to resign in the wake
of the party's poor performance during Saturday's election. He took the
unusual step of holding himself responsible for KMT losses in the parliamen-
tary elections, when party support slipped to an unprecedented low of 53 per
cent. However, since it was candidates handpicked by Dr Soong and his mentor,
Mr Lee Teng-hui, who fared worst, his move has signalled the start of a no-
holds-barred power struggle within one of Asia's oldest political parties.
 
The setback sustained by the so-called Mainstream Faction, led by Mr Lee and
Dr Soong, could also spell dramatic changes in Taiwan's relations with the
mainland.
 
By last night, Mr Lee, who is eyeing the presidential election in 1996, had
not accepted the resignation of his chief strategist. He and his closest
advisers were plotting ways to counter the offensive mounted by the Non-Main-
stream Faction, whose candidates performed well in balloting.
 
Members of the Mainstream Faction, mostly native-Taiwanese who favour the
perpetuation of the island's status quo, or de facto independence, had dom-
inated Taiwan politics since 1990.
 
However, successful candidates of the Non-Mainstream Faction, mostly main-
landers and army-backed politicians who favour a faster pace of unification
with China, are poised to form the largest faction among the 96 KMT members
of the new legislature.
 
One estimate said the New KMT Alliance (NKMTA), which represents the Non-
Mainstream Faction in the Legislative Yuan, would muster up to 40 lawmakers.
 
The resignation offer by Dr Soong yesterday was sparked by calls by angry
NKMTA legislators that he be dumped.
 
"The party's wrong strategy has led to the setback. Soong should step down
to take responsibility," said NKMTA leader Mr Jaw Shao-kang, the biggest
winner in Saturday's election.
 
Mr Jaw, who ran without party endorsement, said Taiwanese voted against the
KMT because Dr Soong nominated too many wealthy candidates with business
ties.
 
Other Non-Mainstream politicians privately claimed that Mr Lee had formed a
clique that was close to political reform as well as a "progressive policy"
towards reunification.
 
"Unless the ruling party listens more to the voice of the people and regains
the people's confidence . . . it may become the opposition party after (the
1996) presidential elections", Mr Jaw added.
 
The Taiwan media said last night veteran KMT cadres Mr Chiou Chang-huan, Dr
Ma Ying-jeou, and Mr Hsu Li-teh, were front-runners to succeed Dr Soong.
 
NKMTA stalwarts are demanding that Mr Lee hold the postponed 14th KMT party
congress within three months.
 
There, Non-Mainstream politicians hope to elect a new Central Standing Com-
mittee where Mr Lee's followers would be sidelined.
 
"The Non-Mainstreamers are plotting a veritable coup against (President)
Lee, which, if successful, will mean that the KMT will have a new candidate
for the 1996 presidential elections," a political source in Taiwan said.
 
Western diplomats in Taipei said the relatively few Mainstream politicians
in the Legislative Yuan, which is fast becoming a centre of power, could
form a strategic alliance with the moderate Formosa Faction of the DPP,
which collectively picked up 50 seats last Saturday.