Speaking in an exclusive interview with the government’s Public Television Service, Hsieh said neither the DPP nor the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is able to capture more than half of the seats in the new legislative election set for early next year.

The former premier and Kaohsiung mayor said one of the major problems now is that the KMT has been assuming the position as the ruling party to block the passage of the central government budget.

Hsieh said he plans to form a government with smaller parties or factions within the KMT so that the KMT can supervise the government operations but unable to block the budget or legislative programs.

The materialization of this plan will hold the DPP accountable for all political responsibilities, he said.

He said the suggestion of KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou to let the majority party in the parliament to form the Cabinet will not work.

Hsieh questioned that how Ma, if elected, can work with a DPP premier when the two sides hold opposing views on major issues.

The case of Tang Fei, the first premier appointed by President Chen Shui-bian in 2000, was a proof, Hsieh said.

Tang, a KMT member and a former defense minister, served on a few months as premier before being replaced by the DPP’s Chang Chun-hsiung.

Concerning Taiwan’s relations with China, Hsieh said he backs the direct transport service across the Taiwan Strait and let people in China take sightseeing rips to Taiwan.

But Beijing has become too sensitive about such issues to allow any major breakthroughs when Taiwan is holding crucial legislative and presidential elections, he explained.

To accelerate Taiwan’s economic development, Hsieh said he will advocates a plan to better utilize the nation’s mounting foreign exchange reserves.

If half of the reserves is used for investment, the people’s income may double from the present size, he said.

Hsieh, who is set to embark on a trip to the United States next week, said Taiwan should cherish the friendship of Washington because the U.S. is Taiwan’s strategic partner for mutual benefits.

He acknowledged that there are some recent misunderstandings about Taiwan on the part of the U.S.

Hsieh pointed out the major problem lies in the “trust” in the bilateral ties.

But he said the problem can be resolved through ceaseless communication.

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