Taipei, Jan. 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian affirmed Friday the performance of the Cabinet over the past 15 months and expressed his thanks for the dedication and contribution of the Cabinet ministers.
Chen made the affirmation at a dinner hosted by himself and First Lady Wu Shu-jen at his official residence in honor of the nation's Cabinet ministers and their spouses to mark the end of the last legislative session before the Cabinet resigns en masse Jan. 21.
The president lauded the Cabinet for getting the 2002 budget and various important bills passed in the Legislative Yuan in the last minutes of the just-concluded session.
He also extended his appreciation to Vice President Annette Lu, who had just returned to Taiwan that day from a successful 12-day official trip to Nicaragua and Paraguay.
In addition to Lu, Premier Chang Chun-hsiung, Vice Premier Lai Ing-jaw, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao, Minister of the Interior Chang Po-ya, Minister of National Defense Wu Shih-wen and many other Cabinet ministers attended the dinner.
After the resignation of the Cabinet, Chen will name a new premier, who will in turn form a new Cabinet. The 225 new legislators elected in the Dec. 1 elections will be sworn in Feb. 1.