Voicing concern over the pan-blue camp's mass demonstration today, Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday called on people to remain rational, while cautioning organizers to keep control of the event.
Yu also met with Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
"We would like to urge the demonstration's organizers not to let [today] become a nightmare for Taiwan's democracy," Yu said at a press conference yesterday, referring to the mass demonstration slated to be held today in front of the Presidential Office by the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-People First Party (PFP) alliance.
Entitled "sustain justice, salvage democracy and we want the truth" (拚公道, 救民主, 要真相), the demonstration could draw over half a million people. At the rally, the pan-blues will appeal for a recount and the assembly of a special task force to examine President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) gunshot wound.
A number of pan-blue legislators had warned that they would carry out a "big action" at the event today, going as far as "sacrificing their lives." Alliance Spokesman Pang Chien-kuo (龐建國) yesterday confirmed that there are pan-blue legislators who have already penned a final letter to their friends and relatives.
In view of the conflict which took place at the Central Election Commission (CEE) yesterday, where scores of demonstrators scuffled with police and hurled bricks at the office of the commission protesting against the official announcement of Chen as the president-elect, Yu said that he can't help but feel pessimistic about the pan-blue camp's planned demonstration today.
"I'd like to hereby call on KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) to stop before it is too late," said Yu. "Please keep in mind that your actions will have a prominent effect on Taiwan's democracy, ethnic harmony and international image."
Yu also called on the general public to condemn violence and remain rational.
Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung (
Pointing out some of the phrases used by pan-blue supporters, such as "besieging" and "taking over" the Presidential Office, Lin noted that some individuals might be interested in deliberately stirring up trouble at the event.
"In fact, there has already been some intelligence that said gangsters or other unspecified individuals will provoke conflict at eh event tomorrow," said Lin, adding that some pan-blue legislators have threatened to drive a bulldozer into the Presidential Office.
PFP Legislator Liu Wen-hsiung (
"The government is poised to take all necessary measures. Legislators of the opposition parties ought not to join in committing illegal acts," Lin said.
Noting that the Taipei City Government is the one which has permitted the large-scale gathering, Lin stressed that Ma shoulders the responsibility for making sure the event concludes peacefully.
"While the Cabinet will assist the Taipei City Government, in the meantime we hope that Ma will be well-prepared to make sure that everyone attending the rally will go home safely and soundly," said Lin.
KMT Spokesman Justin Chou (
Chou added that a 5-meter-tall crying Statue of Liberty will also be erected at the event to illustrate the alliance's appeal.
The demonstration is scheduled to take place from 2pm to 5pm today.
In addition to Lien and Soong, New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming (
‘DENIAL DEFENSE’: The US would increase its military presence with uncrewed ships, and submarines, while boosting defense in the Indo-Pacific, a Pete Hegseth memo said The US is reorienting its military strategy to focus primarily on deterring a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a memo signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth showed. The memo also called on Taiwan to increase its defense spending. The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” was distributed this month and detailed the national defense plans of US President Donald Trump’s administration, an article in the Washington Post said on Saturday. It outlines how the US can prepare for a potential war with China and defend itself from threats in the “near abroad,” including Greenland and the Panama
The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday withdrew an appeal against the acquittal of a former bank manager 22 years after his death, marking Taiwan’s first instance of prosecutors rendering posthumous justice to a wrongfully convicted defendant. Chu Ching-en (諸慶恩) — formerly a manager at the Taipei branch of BNP Paribas — was in 1999 accused by Weng Mao-chung (翁茂鍾), then-president of Chia Her Industrial Co, of forging a request for a fixed deposit of US$10 million by I-Hwa Industrial Co, a subsidiary of Chia Her, which was used as collateral. Chu was ruled not guilty in the first trial, but was found guilty
A wild live dugong was found in Taiwan for the first time in 88 years, after it was accidentally caught by a fisher’s net on Tuesday in Yilan County’s Fenniaolin (粉鳥林). This is the first sighting of the species in Taiwan since 1937, having already been considered “extinct” in the country and considered as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A fisher surnamed Chen (陳) went to Fenniaolin to collect the fish in his netting, but instead caught a 3m long, 500kg dugong. The fisher released the animal back into the wild, not realizing it was an endangered species at
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and