Taipei, July 24 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian has rejected Premier Tang Fei's offer to resign over a weekend river tragedy that claimed four lives and sparked a public outrage at the government's mishandling of the incident, the Presidential Office said on Monday.
Presidential Office Secretary-General Chang Chung-hsiung said President Chen has asked Premier Tang to remain on his post and properly handle the aftermath of the tragedy.
Chang told a press conference that Premier Tang offered to resign in a telephone call to President Chen early in the morning.
Chen was quoted as having told Tang that he fully understands Tang's grief over the incident. "But the president encouraged Tang to stay on the premiership and work together with him to cope with the many challenges that lie ahead," Chang said.
In addition to Chang, the Presidential Office's three other spokesmen--Deputy Secretary-General Eugene Chien and Chen's two close aides Ma Yung-cheng and Lin Chin-chang--were also present at the news conference.
The four spokesmen observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the four workers who were washed away by flash-flood in the Pachang Creek in the southern Taiwan county of Chiayi on Saturday.
They also expressed sincere apology to all fellow countrymen and extended heartfelt condolences to the victims' bereaved families.
Chang said President Chen himself was deeply saddened by the incident and that Chen's administration has no intention of shirking responsibility for the tragedy.
"The president feels very sorry for the death of the four workers, but hopes all fellow countrymen will continue throwing support behind Premier Tang and the new government in pushing for administrative reforms and upgrading the country's overall competitiveness," Chang said.
Asked whether the incident will affect President Chen's mid-August overseas travel plan, Chang said the president is still evaluating the travel plan and that the latest river tragedy will be a very important mulling factor.
Chang further said opposition parties have offered many suggestions concerning the improvement of the country's disaster rescue and relief system. "We will make a comprehensive review and modestly accept all valuable suggestions," he noted.
Meanwhile, Chang said the government will do its utmost in searching for the bodies of the victims and in comforting and caring for their bereaved families. Only the body of one of the victims has been discovered.
Chang also urged all civil servants to adopt a more active approach in serving the people and helping them resolve problems, particularly in disaster rescue and relief work.