Mr. Chun-hsiung Chang, Secretary-General to the President held a press conference this morning to announce the formation of a supra-party task force, which was just approved by President Chen Shui-bian.
The full text of the main points follows:
Article 1 (basis)
This structural regulation is formulated in accordance with the instruction of the President.
Article 2 (goal)
The President sets up this supra-party task force in order to build national consensus, promote harmony among ethnic groups, maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, and develop cross-strait relations.
Article 3 (position)
The supra-party task force shall act as a consultative body for the President to integrate public opinion and formulate policy on cross-strait relations.
Article 4 (formation)
The supra-party task force shall have a convener appointed by the President. According to Item 2 of Article 4 of the Organization Law of the National Security Council, the convener may attend the National Security Meetings by the President's designation.
The supra-party task force shall consist of twenty-one to twenty-nine members. In addition to the convener, its members should include eleven to thirteen representatives of political parties, four to six academics, two to four business representatives, and three to five social leaders, all of whom are nominated by the convener and appointed by the President to serve a term of two years.
Article 5 (meeting)
The supra-party task force shall meet regularly once every three months. Additional sessions may take place at the request of the convener or more than half of its members.
Article 6 (staff)
A secretariat shall be established under the supra-party task force to handle administrative affairs. The secretariat shall have a director and several executive secretaries, of which the positions may be assumed concurrently by the staff from related administrative agencies.
Article 7 (implementation)
This structural regulation is effective upon publication.