Tue, Mar 23, 2004 page8

• Editorial: It's time to make peace

  • • 
    • 
    • 

  The presidential election is over, but political clouds hover over the country. The stock market has slumped as supporters of the pan-blue camp continue protesting. Anxiety is etched on the faces of many. And all this has pointlessly come about because the losing team will not accept the results of a democratic process.

  Perhaps Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) are disgruntled because they have once again missed out on the presidency in a poll which they thought they would win easily. Lien has since called the election process suspicious and unfair. Their emotions are understandable.

  But more sober observers have questions that demand answers: Why have they brought their supporters out onto the streets? Their demands -- a recount of the ballots and an investigation into Friday's shooting -- are already being carried out by the judiciary and the police anyway. And why are they continuing to stir up the emotions of these crowds? Does it befit a would-be leader to fight to the bitter end and force the entire country to pay a painful price for it?

  This is not just a matter of unstable people in pan-blue crowds. Lien and Soong are trying to divert the frustrations of their supporters to protect their political careers from slipping into oblivion. They are trying to avoid a repeat of the election aftermath in 2000, in which former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) was forced to resign as KMT chairman. Therefore, they must project pan-blue dissatisfaction over the result onto the election process itself.

  Public servants who campaigned for the pan-blue camp must also save face, while those aiming to run in the legislative elections at the end of the year must use this opportunity to fortify support bases. And so, they are taking to the streets in an all-out struggle to save their political lives. For them, the legislative election campaign has begun, long before the dust from the presidential election can settle.

  Four years ago, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was widely accepted as legitimately elected despite only securing 39 percent of the vote. But this time, the opposition refuses to concede defeat despite the fact that Chen won with just over 50 percent of the vote. With widespread coverage being given to blue-camp protests in the international media, governments the world over, including those of the US and Japan, have refrained from recognizing the election outcome in the manner they would prefer, instead waiting until the result is confirmed. With unrest on the streets, and international silence regarding his presidency, the road ahead certainly does not look smooth for Chen's administration.

  The fuss over this election has taken a terrible toll on the reputation of politicians, significantly affected the lives of ordinary people and caused considerable concern among business and religious groups. This raises several worrying questions about unity and harmony within the nation. In light of this, Lien and Soong should respect the wish of all people for stability, put their trust in the legal system and cease fueling public protests.

  Chen should continue to play down his victory and work towards securing harmonious relations between the political parties. The end of the election should be accompanied by an end to the bitterness that is injuring all of us.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Bologna advance to face AC Milan in Coppa final

  • 2

    Bukele proposes prisoner swap with Maduro

  • 3

    Wild’s top line too much for Vegas Golden Knights

  • 4

    HK, Macau residency rules tightened

  • 5

    Eric Chu, 2 others to be questioned for leading illegal assembly last week