Perhaps it's the Sunday when the birthday of the Buddha was observed.

Lawmaker Ker Chien-ming, DPP legislative caucus leader, was the only opposition party leader who reacted moderately by offering platitudes.

In an interview in Taipei with the Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao, President Ma said he does not rule out possibilities of talks on political issues, if they are urgent after he is reelected in 2012.

The interview was published on Saturday.

Ker said the Ma initiative is an outgrowth of his ultimate aim at "eventual unification" with the People's Republic of China.

"His economic policy," Ker said, "is in line with the 'one China' principle. He makes Taiwan rely ever more heavily on the People's Republic for economic development."

No wonder Ma would talk with Beijing, if he were reelected three years from now, Ker said. "For," he pointed out, "Ma ultimately aims at unification with China."

Kuomintang lawmaker Yang Chiung-ying, a deputy whip, volunteered matter-of-fact support. She said her legislative caucus supports the Ma initiative, if he adheres to Taiwan's sovereignty and talks are held on an equal footing.

"Moreover," Yang said, "economics must be emphasized in such talks that should contribute to economic development and the promotion of the people's livelihood.

"Under such conditions, the Kuomintang legislative caucus will give President Ma all its support."