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進入《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 Ko proposes to establish ‘hotline’ with DPP’s Tsai
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, left, rolls dough at Ten Cake bakery in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times
By Sean Lin / Staff reporter
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je （柯文哲） yesterday said he would like to set up a hotline with Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen （蔡英文） to avoid possible communication errors.
Ko in a previous interview had said that as he and Tsai rarely meet each other, a dedicated line is needed to avoid mistakes that might occur while messages are being passed on.
When asked to comment on the proposal yesterday, Ko said that he not only wants to establish a hotline with Tsai, but with other influential political figures.
“Sometimes what you mean to say gets lost as a result of words being passed on… I think setting up hotlines is a good idea,” he said.
Regarding a comment he made about Tsai that she is adept at negotiating, but not “decisive” enough, which might hamper progress to relocate the Taipei International Airport （Songshan Airport）, Ko said: “This is her strength.”
“Let us not forget that Tsai used to be the nation’s top negotiator in the WTO. Negotiation is her specialty,” Ko said.
The mayor said that the American Institute In Taiwan （AIT） had contacted him to seek his opinion on Tsai.
“I told them not to worry, that she is a very discreet person,” Ko said.
Ko also sought to clarify a controversial remark he made on Wednesday that people with illegal structures obstructing firefighters’ access to fire lanes should sign an affidavit waiving the Taipei City Government’s responsibilities in the event of a fire.
Ko criticized people who “strategically postpone” removing illegal structures, such as signs or canopies, by resorting to improper influence — such as asking city councilors to intervene — saying that such people should let authorities set up warning signs in front of their properties and sign an affidavit.
“This is called civic responsibility. Who would assume responsibility if a fire broke out? Someone has to,” Ko said.
“As far as I am concerned, whatever needs to be torn down should be torn down, because the government would be the only party held responsible if an accident happens,” he added.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
