Mon, Mar 15, 2004 page3

• DPP looks to firm up support in Taichung with rally

  CAMPAIGN TRAIL The party's election machine rolled into central Taiwan, where its support is strong, but DPP officials said more work needs to be done in Taipei

  • By Chang Yun-ping / STAFF REPORTER
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  Following Saturday's massive rally in Kaohsiung that amassed some 500,000 exuberant supporters, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) continued to build on its campaign momentum in Taichung, yesterday.

  Amid flying flags, placards, banners and balloons at the massive carnival-like rally last night, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on arched stage addressing some 300,000 people, emphasizing that his reelection will bring the political, social, economic and cross-strait stability.

  In response Lien Chan (連戰) and James Soong (宋楚瑜) of the pan-blue ticket, who lay prostrate during the 313 March on Saturday, Chen said that "the people of Taiwan must not kneel down in the face of China's threats and the people of Taiwan must not lie prone in the face of China's bullying."

  "Once Vice President Annette Lu and I are elected, Lien and Soong as well as China will have to come to terms with this fact and that will stop Taiwan from enduring further political chaos ... China will also have to accept that I am the leader and there will be no more tension across the strait and we don't have to be worried that our children have to go to the battlefield," Chen said.

  Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), supported by crutches last night following an accident during her hectic campaign activities, yesterday blasted the pan-blue presidential ticket.

  "They are just like the warlord Yuan Shih-kai (袁世凱) in early 1900s who overthrew the Republic of China and made himself an emperor," Lu said. "Under the rule of KMT and PFP, Taiwan will become a stage for political chaos. How can Taiwan be governed by a leader who claims to be Chinese?" she said, referring to his statement during a visit to the US last year that he was "pure Chinese."

  Lu also warned the Taiwanese to be cautious about Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's (溫家寶) remarks yesterday that china would deploy troops in Fuzhou (福州) in the event of "a post-election riot."

  "They said they wanted to take over Taiwan if Taiwan has a post-election riot, but don't they always say they want to have peaceful unification with Taiwan?" Lu said. "Now they threatened to use force aganst Taiwan."

  First Lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍) yesterday urged pan-green supporters to be cautious about the strong turn-out during the pan-blue camp's 313 March and encouraged citizens to solidify their support for Chen.

  Wu also blasted Lien Chan's and James Soong's actions during the 313 March.

  "If they really love Taiwan, how come their children all possessed the US green cards and they also purchase large amounts of real estate in the US?" Wu questioned.

  DPP campaign spokesperson Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) said that the 313 March demonstrated the blue camp's strong support base remains intact in Taipei and highlighted that the DPP has not done enough to boost support in the capital city.
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