KMT leaders dissatisfied with Premier Liu's efforts

Highly placed KMT officials are so dissatisfied with Liu that they are considering asking for his resignation, said one party source, who refused to identify them as well as himself.

“They believe,” the source said, “if Liu doesn't go, he will drag President Ma Ying-jeou down with himself.”

At least one of President Ma's national policy advisers came out to call for a Cabinet reshuffle. Lin Ho-wang, professor of philosophy at Taiwan University, said many of Cabinet ministers have to be replaced.

No Cabinet reshuffle is under consideration, an Office of the President source said.

Though not a Cabinet minister, Andrew Hsiah had tendered his resignation as deputy minister of foreign affairs to take responsibility for issuing a circular among Taiwan's foreign missions that they should refuse offers of help from their host countries.

Ma, who had criticized Hsieh, said at a press conference at the Office of the President the deputy minister had to take responsibility. “His resignation is awaiting approval by Premier Liu,” the president told reporters.

Francisco Ou, minister of foreign affairs, said Hsieh did tender the resignation. “His resignation,” Ou added, “is a great loss.”

Ou declined comment when asked whether Hsieh had been told by the national disaster control center that foreign assistance in rescue and relief operations was unnecessary.

The foreign ministry said the control center was asked whether such aid was necessary. Top staff officers manning the center denied they had been contacted.

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