They disagree with their party central, that wants to do it its own way, for they are afraid their chances of reelection may be sacrificed.

Lawmaker Hsu Shu-po demanded yesterday that a party legislative caucus call a general assembly to decide how the alliance should be achieved.

At least three heavyweights, all of them known as “indigenous faction” legislators of the Kuomintang, supported Hsu’s call, which runs counter to the party decision to ram through an agreement on the alliance its chairman Ma Ying-jeou is expected to reach with his PFP opposite number James Soong.

“We want the lawmakers to make that decision,” said Hsu Chung-hsiung. He was joined by Ko Chun-hsiung and Chu Chun-hsiao. They all said they are not against the Kuomintang-PFP alliance. They fear the Kuomintang, after the alliance, may become more “pro-China,” according to press reports.

“As a matter of fact,” Hsu said, “we are all for the alliance, and we believe should ally, but we shouldn’t only limit our alliance only for 2007.”

The Legislative Yuan is to be halved to 113 seats from the currently authorized 225 in the parliamentary election, scheduled for the end of next year. At least half of the incumbents will lose their chance of reelection.

“Rather, we should look forward to 2008,” Hsu urged. Voters will go to the polls in March 2008 to elect a new president.

For that reason, Hsu went on, many Kuomintang legislators want a general assembly to exchange views in order to reach consensus on how the alliance has to be accomplished to win the presidential election.

Lawmaker Tsai Chin-lung, the Kuomintang legislative caucus whip, said he would “study the proposal” to call a general assembly.

“I have been familiar with what many lawmakers of our party are thinking,” Tsai said. “We’ll study the proposal,” he added.

Later in the afternoon, Chan Chun-po, Kuomintang secretary-general, told the press there is no change in the cooperative relationship between his party and the PFP.

There will be give and take between the two parties, but the purpose is to win elections, in particular the next legislative elections, Chan said.

“Our two parties,” Chang continued, “have been working together closely.” He said he has kept in close contact with his PFP counterpart Chin Chin-sheng.

Regarding the alliance between the two parties, Chan said, two Kuomintang vice chairmen are making necessary coordination to draft an agreement before the end of this week.

One draft agreement did not pass the Kuomintang central standing committee last Wednesday because of the opposition by “indigenous faction” lawmakers in attendance.

Ma then decided to refer to two special working groups headed by his vice chairmen Kuan Chung and Wu Po-hsiung to draft a new agreement.

Chan said Ma will sign the new agreement after it is approved by the central standing committee.

“Then,” Chan pointed out, “we will consult the People First Party to organize an alliance of two parties.”

Soong has agreed to form the alliance, Chan said. “So there’ll be no problem organizing the new formal alliance once Soong signs the agreement,” Chan said.

No details of the agreement on the formal alliance are available. They probably have to be worked out in consultation, and that is what “indigenous faction” lawmakers of the Kuomintang fear would affect their chances of reelection.

Soong and Ma are expected to meet on Wednesday, Kuomintang sources said. He is scheduled to leave for San Francisco on Friday.

So far the Kuomintang and the PFP have maintained a loose alliance to control the Legislative Yuan. Soong formed the PFP, which split from the Kuomintang in 2000 after he had run unsuccessfully for president as an independent against Chen Shui-bian.

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