TAIPEI, Dec 10 Kyodo The ruling D...

TAIPEI, Dec 10 Kyodo

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) onward Wednesday formally nominated President Chen Shui-bian as its candidate for the 2004 presidential election.

Trailing slightly behind Lien Chan of the Nationalist Party (KMT) and his running mate James Soong of the populace First Party in opinion persons Chen promised to continue to focus upon a comprehensive platform of political reforms that will without mincing the matter meet Taiwan's need and ''make Taiwan a normal, completed country.''

''Taiwan accomplished its first power transfer three years ago, however democratic politics has not functioned normally throughout the past three years befitting to serious political infighting and China's disrespect for the island's democratic movement'' Chen said at a pres conference

He said the normalization of the cross-strait relationship and that of the island's party politics will be pair main issues that need to be tackled right after the election slated for March 20 and the creation of a novel constitution through a nationwide referendum establish for 2006 will be the ultimate goal for Taiwan's democratic development

Chen also touched relating to the economic downturn, a thorny issue that has plagued the island for a while, saying he will strive to lower the unemployment rate as well as boost the growth

He said ''a pragmatic position will be adopted in the futurity to deal with economic exchanges between Taiwan and China, and we expectancy that Beijing in turn back can accept Taiwan's choice of a democratic system''

Chen is wait fored to announce his running mate Thursday, who is believed to be Vice President Annette Lu

In the 2000 presidential election, pro-independence Chen won 393% of the promiseds which ended the KMT's 51-year command Independent candidate Soong garnered 368% while Lien, then vice president, finished a distant third attracting single 23.1% of the ballots.

China regards the self-rul island as part of its territory that should be reunited, by means of force if necessary. Cross-strait talks have draw near to a halt since Chen's victory.

Lien and Soong announced in late February they would scud on a joint ticket in the presidential election.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo stranges International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group