The news media have been focusing nearly undivided attention on PremierHau Pei-tsun recently. The premier's views on a number of topical issues are summarized briefly below.

Military involvement in the government

The participation of military men in the government is not "military interference"--U.S. General Marshall served as secretary of state, for instance, and General Eisenhower as president. In fact, the patriotism, leadership, efficiency, determination to carry out orders and even the physical strength of a person with long service in the military can be of help in working in the government.

Foreign Policy

A pragmatic foreign policy can only be carried out under the prerequisite of "one China"--not that of "Taiwan independence"(T'ai-tu) or "Taiwan only" (tu-T'ai). We weren't the ones who set the precedent, because back when the United States still maintained formal diplomatic relations with us, they set up an official liaison office in Peking. The Communists were the ones who laid the precedent there. They can't turn around now and say that our seeking to maintain official relations with the rest of the world is playing "two Chinas." They were the ones who played at it first.

Law and order

The crime problem should be examined from the perspectives of the government's overall functions, social groups and the social mores as a whole. It's not fair to lay all the blame on the police.

Some fishing harbors are totally dark at night, but if we install lighting it's immediately wrecked by the locals. Why is that? Darkness is more convenient for smuggling. The military guards the sea but not the harbors, since the National Security Law stipulates that only the police have the authority to inspect private means of transport. But the police force is inadequate. We used to say that poverty breeds crime, but now it's a case of luxury leading to licence. The cultivation of value concepts and respect for the law are both related to public law and order.

The situation across the Taiwan Strait

The situation across the Taiwan Strait is held in check by the international situation but is tense. The calm within that tension might be called calm in the midst of tension or it might be called tension in the midst of calm. It looks peaceful on the surface, but in fact something could happen any minute that would tense things up. Both sides apply self-restraint, but the forces are always very taut. That's why I've said that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are engaged in peaceful competition, which is not the same thing as peaceful coexistence or a peaceful contest.

Governmental system

As regards a presidential or a cabinet system, I think that no matter which system is used the human factor is still important. We're talking about a system of laws, of course, and not of individuals, but even a system of laws still needs people to run it. There are many systems that other countries have done well with but that we may not. Of course, I still stress the importance of system, basically.

Depoliticizing the military

I think our armed forces are depoliticized. They don't engage in politics or serve a particular individual. There are many KMT members in the military but there are also DPP members, and as long as their actions don't violate military discipline they are all treated as colleagues.

A premier of strength

I'm not a strongman, although I admit to being a "strong general." I don't think there'll be any need to emphasize strength, just thoroughly carry out the administration's goals according to the law and strictly enforce the powers of the state. Bandying about these terms all day is a misusage that only serves to increase the difficulties.

Getting along with the president

President Lee and I have no differences in aspirations or ideals. Anti-Communism, reunification, democracy and anti-Taiwan independence--there are no differences in those four fundamental beliefs.

Intense ambition

What is called ambition is achieving the missions conferred on you by your superiors with comprehensive planning and steadfast determination. That doesn't mean showing off as an individual or doing things just for a promotion.

"Doing as ordered" isn't ambition. Our government agencies are frequently too passive now, causing poor administrative efficiency. That will certainly be improved.

Transitional cabinet

President Lee has complete confidence in what I say. As to his saying that he'll replace me in two years' time if I do poorly, well, if I do poorly I won't want to stay on anyway, and I don't think the public would want me to either, so I don't think that's a problem.

Military coloring

I was a military man with a decades-long career in the armed forces but I've withdrawn from the service and am now a civilian. If you're asking me to eradicate my so-called military image or innermost being, I really don't know how. I don't think it's necessary to, say, cut off dealings with my old friends to try to show that I've changed my military image. I feel that in government service, or in being a good person for that matter, the key thing is honesty. Then you can just let the facts prove themselves.

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I'm not a strongman, although I admit to being a "strong general."