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Taiwanese face Chinese on March 20, 2004 ……

Taiwan's democracy faces its biggest test yet

`The only right answer is to support democracy wholeheartedly by taking part in today's election and referendum.'

Flaws with the Referendum Law make the initiative process far from ideal, but today's balloting presents the nation with a major opportunity.

By Bruno Kaufmann and Theo Schiller

Today Taiwan faces its biggest test for democracy, going to the polls under the shock of yesterday's assassination attempt on President Chen Shui-bian and his Vice President Annette Lu. By taking part both in the elections and the first referendums -- and by conducting this final poll with dignity and correctness, Taiwan can show the whole world that democracy has come to stay.

Yesterday's attack on the incumbent president is unfortunately not the first time that a democratic election and referendum has been seriously disturbed by a violent attack: just a week ago, terrorists targeted the Spanish capital of Madrid, killing more than 200 citizens. Late last year, a man murdered Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh a few days before the country's decisive referendum to join the EU's monetary union. Yesterday, it was Taiwan's turn, shocking a whole nation and putting today's important ballot decisions in question. However, the only right answer is to support democracy wholeheartedly by taking part in today's election and referendum.

Having said that, it is not our role to endorse any available choice in the presidential race and the proposed issues in the referendum. We are, however, very concerned about the conduct of these first nationwide referendums in Taiwan. A failure could be a burden to any further democratization in both Taiwan and South-East Asia.

In this article, we explain why we find it inappropriate to call this referendum "illegal" and to boycott it. We also want to make the case for developing the citizens' political power by improving the law.

Indeed, the world will be watching when the Taiwanese go to the polling stations today. After having developed free and fair elections procedures, Taiwan is now proceeding to the next step, which is giving the opportunity to the people to vote on an issue. This is in line with a recent annual report of the UN Development Program, in which UN experts described the democratization of societies as one of the most important positive trends in the world, and at the same time, defined the further democratization of democracy as the greatest challenge of our time.

As they state, "True democratization means more than elections. People's dignity requires that they be free -- and able -- to participate in the formation and stewardship of the rules and institutions that govern them." Thus even the UN is moving towards direct democracy as a complement to indirect democracy.

This is neither a silly idealistic notion, nor the hobbyhorse of a small group of out-of-touch fantasists. It has shown itself to be, on the contrary, an extremely practical idea.

For example, last year, almost 10,000 referendums were recorded in US communities alone, and since the introduction of local referendums in the southern German state of Bavaria in 1995, there have been more than 1,000 popular ballots.

Direct democracy underscores Jean Jacques Rousseau's idea, which was as simple as can be imagined: People need laws to govern public life, and if everyone is involved in drawing up those laws, then in the final analysis, everyone only has to obey himself or herself. The result is self-regulation instead of the dominance of some by others. This utopian dream of yesterday is more and more becoming the reality of today.

To be sure, not too long ago only a minority of the world's population was living in countries with basic democratic rights. Thus in 1980, only 46 percent of the world's population, in 54 countries, enjoyed the benefits of democracy. But today, more than two-thirds of people -- 68 percent in 129 countries -- belong to the democratic world, including the 23 million Taiwanese.

The first constitutional referendum ever took place in 1639, in the then-independent US state of Connecticut. It was followed by similar referendums in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

In Europe, it was the French who took up this American impulse: In August 1793, 6 million French voters were asked to decide on a new democratic national constitution (the Montagnard Constitution). Almost 90 percent of them voted in favor of the revolutionary new rules, which included the right of 10 percent of the electorate to demand a referendum. But the French Revolution spawned the Reign of Terror, and the French continue to have little regard for direct democracy.

The idea of popular rights found fertile ground not in France but in Switzerland and in many of the states of the US. The most important phase of development of Swiss direct democracy occurred in the second half of the 19th century, while initiatives and referendums became established in the Western US around the beginning of the 20th century.

After World War II, the instruments of direct democracy became important in many other countries of the world -- in Italy, Australia, South Africa and Mexico, for example. Over the last 200 years, 1,352 national referendums have been held worldwide -- almost half of them in the last 15 years. Since 1991, the number of national referendums has doubled. Of the 497 documented national referendums worldwide between 1991 and the beginning of this year, 83 were in the Americas, 54 in Africa, 30 in Asia and 30 in Oceania. By far the largest number -- 301 -- was in Europe. In the preceding decade, the total was only 129.

Two developments in particular highlight this clear trend toward more directness in democracy.

First, the democratic revolutions in Eastern Europe led to no less than 27 new constitutions, most of which were approved by the people through referendums.

Second, the acceleration of integration within the EU opened the floodgates to a wave of direct democracy with transnational implications: 31 of the 41 national referendums in Europe and about Europe have happened since 1992.

People all over the world are thus going for more democracy, and that is especially true for certain subjects. Across the world, referendums are being held on an enormous range of issues: the growth of the state, constitutions, road-building projects, moral issues, town planning, taxes and so forth. However, the quality of direct democracy is not determined by the number of referendums, but by the way referendums come about and by the design of the relevant procedures and majority requirements. Based on these criteria, many countries are still lagging far behind.

The future of direct democracy across the world depends on the free expression and fair use of citizens' rights. By passing the Referendum Law the Legislative Yuan took an important step toward empowering the citizens of this country and created the foundation for the very first nationwide referendum. Yet it is rather disturbing that some of the forces that were instrumental in approving the referendum law now call the referendum "illegal."

They may deem the referendum politically unwelcome on the basis of the argument that it interferes with the parallel presidential election, but in our assessment, Article 17 of the law (which gives the head of state the right to call for defensive referendums) is clearly not illegal.

Thus, it is shortsighted to boycott the vote because abstaining from voting will not damage anyone's political rivals but rather the referendum tool itself.

The Initiative and Referendum Institute Europe has assessed hundreds of referendums during the last decade and we have found out that the following key elements are critical to free and fair referendums:

First, there must be no minimum turnout quorums such as the law requires, because this allows non-voting to become a tactical weapon to kill the referendum instrument and process. Such quorums were introduced in the Weimar Republic and did not help in the deepening of democracy. As in Taiwan, the 50-percent quorum is in use in Italy and other European countries. How bad can it be? See for example how Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi requests on a regular basis that his voters boycott citizen-initiated referendums!

Second, a referendum introduced by the head of state, the government or the parliament is called a plebiscite and is not the most democratic form of referendum. Very often, as in Taiwan, the legitimacy of such a plebiscite is heavily contested by the opposition. This in turn infringes upon the rights of the people to direct democracy. Thus the most important thing is to strengthen the right of the citizens themselves to launch a popular initiative on all issues, while the mechanism is also made available to the legislature.

Third, the quality of the debate is decisive for the quality of the decision on an issue. For this reason special care must be given to the referendum campaign. Both sides must obtain the same space and time in the media, while the government's role in the public debate must be clearly defined.

For major issues like Taiwan's relations to China it is recommended to not link elections and referendums, as their is an obvious risk -- as we clearly can see -- to mix up the choice of a person with the decision on an issue.

Many reforms which are sold to citizens as participatory or direct democracy only reveal their true character when they are measured against the requirements above. Taiwan's Referendum Law only partly meets these criteria. However, due to the very special situation of the country, it is a step toward more democracy. The next important step will be a fair completion of the referendum campaign and the voting itself, as well as a well-organized follow-up of the citizens' decisions today.

The Taiwanese should be allowed to choose more democracy free of threats from outside and inside actors. Yesterday's shocking attack should not prevent its attempts to deepen its young democracy. Indeed, Taiwan can become Asia's model for a developed and mature democracy. Today's first nationwide referendum is just the starting point for a new phase in Taiwan's history of democracy. The next steps will be popular initiatives on various issues, put to the ballot by the citizens themselves.

Bruno Kaufmann is president of the Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe in Amsterdam. Theo Schiller is professor of political science in Marburg, Germany and is a member of the IRI-Advisory Board.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

A shameful day for a democracy

How on earth did we get here? After 16 years of peaceful political transformation how did we get to the stage where President Chen Shui-bian, one of the region's foremost liberal democrats, could be shot in the street? The perpetrators of yesterday's assassination attempt on the president and Vice President Annette Lu must be found, and eventually we will learn what their motives were. Until that happens there are a few things to note.

First, the government deserves credit for its handling of the situation. It must have been tempting to call off the election, given yesterday's events. But this would only further increase the pressure cooker-like atmosphere that has been building up in the last few days, making more violence possible if not inevitable. When bullets start flying it is as well to get people off the streets as quickly as possible. Going ahead with the election was the best way to do this.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was also wise to call off its campaigning for last night. With Chen and Lu in hospital, it might have seemed to have little choice. But the party could have fielded any number of major figures, including respected figures not in themselves politicians such has Nobel Laureate Lee Yuan-tseh, to speak out against political violence. The problem was that amid the shock and anger pervading yesterday evening that message might have had exactly the opposite result. A rioting, 500,000-strong mob sweeping down on Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) headquarters in Taipei might have been understandable but it would be no more edifying a display of those values that Taiwan wishes to be known for than were the shots that rang out in Tainan yesterday afternoon.

The plan-blue campaign followed suit, for continuing to campaign while Chen and Lu lay in hospital would have been a solecism too far for the nation's voters.

So far, so responsible. But there were less edifying aspects in some reactions as well. Some pan-blues were quick to try to paint the act as something performed by the DPP in desperation to try to win on a sympathy vote. This was not only as contemptible as anything we have got used to expecting from the pan-blues but it was also amazingly stupid. As the pan-blues, those masters of political deception, know, if you want to create an incident you have a man waving a gun shooting into nowhere. You do not shoot your leader in the stomach.

The irony of yesterday's events is perhaps to show that the ultimate danger to Taiwan is not, pace Chen, China's 500 missiles. Rather it is the vicious political climate in which bitter antagonism has become the norm, with extremism, and extremist violence, the inevitable result.

It is not unjust to accuse one political faction of exacerbating this atmosphere more than another; it is simply a statement of fact. The pan-blues have never been able to accept losing the 2000 election and losing power; they have been deliberately obstructive toward measures necessary for the health of the country, for no other reason than that they refuse to work with the DPP. They have not merely criticized the DPP and government as any opposition worth its salt has to do, but they have become masters of the libelous slur, often sexual in nature, against which an inadequate legal system gives no protection.

What has been fostered in fact is a cult of irrational opposition. It is also a cult of desperate opposition. The pan-blues have not told their followers that if they lose this time they will have another try in four years. They have said that it is now or never; today's vote is the last chance. It is matter of life or death. It certainly was at 1:45 yesterday afternoon.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

Police confident arrests will be made soon

"I assure you that we are screening potential suspects and I believe that we shall locate the gunman soon." --- Lu Jen-fa, state public prosecutor-general

INVESTIGATION: While no arrests have been made, justice officials said at least two gunmen were involved in the incident and expect to detain the suspects soon.

By Jimmy Chuang, STAFF REPORTER

Police said yesterday they may know who shot President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu.

"Due to a gag order, I cannot make public the latest details of the case, but I assure you that we are screening potential suspects and I believe that we shall locate the gunman soon," State Public Prosecutor-General Lu Jen-fa said at a press conference yesterday.

Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan and Bureau of Investigation Director-General Yeh Sheng-mao said special agents did not receive any tips ahead of the shooting.

"It is just our rough investigation, but everything is under control at this minute, I assure you," Chen Ding-nan said.

As of press time yesterday, Tainan police had located two shell cases at the scene. Police have yet to determine how the president and vice president were hit.

National Police Administration Deputy Director-General Liu Shih-lin said he believed there were at least two gunmen.

Justice officials made the comments at a press conference yesterday afternoon that was originally called to discuss efforts to crack down on election-related bribery.

Tainan District Prosecutor-General Liu Wei-tsung said two chief prosecutors have been assigned to the case, adding the prosecutors have the names of suspects in mind.

In addition to prosecutors, special agents from the National Security Bureau (NSB), the National Police Administration's (NPA) Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Ministry of Justice's Bureau of Investigation are working on the case.

Meanwhile, special agents from the NSB assigned to protect the pan-blue camp's candidates -- Chinese Nationalist Party Chairman Lien Chan and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong -- were ordered to carry their M-16s while on duty.

In addition, nearly 20,000 officers from the NPA's Peace Preservation Corps have been ordered to tighten security at certain locations across the country.

NPA Director-General Chang Si-liang and CIB Commissioner Hou You-yi flew to Tainan yesterday to be with the president and the vice president.

Tainan Mayor Hsu Tien-tsai said the city is offering a NT$3 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

President shot

President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu were recovering after being shot in Tainan City yesterday.

By Lin Chieh-yu, STAFF REPORTER

President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu were shot yesterday afternoon while leading a motorcade in Tainan City, but were assessed to be in good condition with only minor injuries.

The government immediately called a national security meeting at the Presidential Office to activate emergency security measures, including the convening of a special Cabinet task force and the upgrading of military and police readiness.

But today's presidential election and referendum will proceed as normal.

"The presidential election and the referendum will be held in accordance with the original schedule on Saturday [today]. We hope that everyone in the country will remain calm and proceed with voting normally to strengthen Taiwan's democracy," Premier Yu Shyi-kun said at the conclusion of the one-hour meeting.

Yu also said that because Chen was not seriously hurt, he would be fully capable of continuing with his presidential duties.

Initial reports of the shooting emerged at 2:15pm, but both the government and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) at first would not confirm them.

Chen's top aide, Secretary General to the President Chiou I-jen, held a press conference at 3:30pm, saying that the president and vice president had been injured, but that their lives were not in danger and that both were conscious.

Chiou said the shooting occurred at 1:45pm, when Chen and Lu, standing side-by-side in a Jeep in a Tainan City motorcade, were struck by bullets as they passed near the intersection of Wenhsien Road and Chinhua Road.

With the hubbub of thousands of supporters lining the streets and smoke from firecrackers all around, confusion reigned and the presidential security detail was unable to locate the source of the gunfire.

"The vice president first felt sharp pain in her right knee, then the president felt that the right part of his stomach was wet," Chiou said. "He lifted his jacket and discovered blood."

Chiou said that security personnel escorted Chen and Lu to the Chi Mei Medical Center in adjacent Yungkang City, Tainan County.

For some time there was no confirmation that Chen and Lu had been shot, with some media reports suggesting a firecracker might have been responsible.

However, TV pictures showed what appeared to be a bullet hole on the passenger side of the vehicle's windscreen.

"The National Police Administration and the Minister of Justice have convened a special task force to take charge of the investigation.

"As to the matter of who or what organization was responsible for this crime, or how many bullets [might have been involved], or whether there were any witnesses, the government has no concrete answers for the time being," Chiou said.

Asked about protective clothing for the president, Chiou said that neither Chen nor Lu had been wearing bulletproof vests, and stressed that the entire system of presidential security would be reviewed.

Shocked by the shooting, both the DPP and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-People First Party (PFP) alliance announced that they were calling off all campaign activities, including the parties' climactic night rallies, in the interests of public order.

"We ask all supporters to keep calm and not indulge in any irrational behavior," DPP campaign headquarters chief Chang Chun-hsiung said.

Chang said that the DPP condemned the violence and hoped that the authorities would find the person or persons responsible.

KMT Chairman Lien Chan, the pan-blue camp's presidential candidate, relayed his concern to Chen and Lu, saying that he and his party hoped they would recover quickly.

"We also expect the government to give the public a clear explanation of the shooting as soon as possible," Lien said.

At 9:20pm yesterday, Lien visited Chen at his Taipei residence to convey his sympathies, but was told Chen was asleep and met with Chiou instead.

Supporters from the pan-blue and pan-green camps gathered to sing and pray for the peace of the country. Chen's wife, Wu Shu-chen, and family members also went to the Presidential Office to attend a briefing.

"Thank God my husband is alive. I don't care about whether he wins the election or not, I just want him to be OK," Wu was quoted as saying by Examination Yuan President Yao Chia-wen, who accompanied Wu to the Presidential Office.

At the press conference following the national security meeting, the premier announced that the government would continue operating as normal since Chen was able to remain in full charge of his administration.

Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming said that the military was well-prepared to handle any situation, especially any action China might take in the wake of the assassination attempt.

"We have closely monitored the Taiwan Strait and the southeast coast of China, and so far there is nothing unusual to report," he said.

The National Security Bureau expressed its regret that it had failed to maintain the president's and the vice president's security, saying it would review all security mechanisms.

"Our top priority is to arrest the suspect and we will absolutely shoulder responsibility for inadequate performance," National Security Bureau Deputy Director Wang Chin-wang said at the press conference.

Asked whether any leaders of other countries had expressed concern over the shooting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien said that ambassadors and representatives had contacted the government to pass on their good wishes to Chen and Lu as well as to Taiwan.

"American Institute in Taiwan Director Douglas Paal has already contacted us to express his sympathy ... over the incident," Chien said.

Asked how the shooting would affect Taiwan's democracy, Chien said that since the nation was still a young democracy, he hoped the election would proceed peacefully.

"We do not want to be punished by this event at this democratic moment," he said.

After receiving medical treatment by Chi Mei Medical Center doctors and from the president's medical task force, Chen and Lu returned to Taipei by plane at around 7:30pm and retired to their homes for rest.

In a taped address to the nation last night, televised at 11pm, Chen said: "Since the event happened, the emergency national security mechanism has been activated and I believe the nation's security is assured. I believe there is no security problem for the people to worry about. I also thank those medical professionals who treated me. A-bian is OK."

Lu said: "The gunshot has shaken the country. However, we are safe to serve as the leaders of the state it is our duty to defend. I urge everyone to exercise their duty as a citizen and carry out their basic obligations by casting their ballots tomorrow."

President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu canvass for votes in Tainan yesterday seconds after being shot. A bullet hole is visible in the windshield of the Jeep.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

The day the shots rang out in Tainan

STAFF REPORTER

As a stunned Taiwan learned that President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu had been injured in an assassination attempt in Tainan, security personnel went into action and supporters of the president took to the streets to show their concern on the eve of the election.

Supporters of President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu gather yesterday in front of Chen and Lu's national campaign headquarters in Taipei after the assassination attempt in Tainan.

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Two bullet shells can be seen on Wenhsien Road in Tainan City where President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu were shot.

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Supporters of President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu in Nantou arrange candles in the shape of Taiwan.

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President Chen Shui-bian leaves Tainan's Chi Mei Medical Center at around 7:10pm for Taipei after surviving an assassination attempt earlier in the day while campaigning in the southern city.

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Pan-green supporters gather yesterday outside Tainan City's Chi Mei Medical Center to show support for President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu.

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A member of President Chen Shui-bian's medical team displays the bullet that injured Chen.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

Academics decry attack's impact on political fabric

"At this point, there is no doubt that whoever was involved in the shooting incident was educated under the KMT system. However, I don't believe that the KMT did it, because it was not a judicious move at all." --- Lee Shiao-feng, a professor in the history department of Shih Hsin University

`AGAINST VALUES': One professor said that the shooting was meant to paralyze the nation's fight for democratization.

By Cody Yiu, STAFF REPORTER

Academics condemned the shooting of President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu yesterday, stating that the act was an attempt to paralyze the nation's journey toward democracy.

"This shooting is totally against human values, and it is an attempt to hinder Taiwan's fight for democracy," said Ku Chung-hwa, a sociology professor at National Chengchi University.

Ku said that it was fortunate that nothing worse had happened to the president, which might have led to the unthinkable.

"It is total luck that nothing worse transpired, or Taiwan would have to face complete chaos where both political camps would point fingers at each other," Ku said.

Ku said that throughout history, violence has been a means to achieving political ends.

"Throughout the history of humanity, assassination has been a means to achieve political goals for politicians. However, such violence is to be condemned," Ku said.

Lee Shiao-feng, a professor in Shih Hsin University's history department, compared the person or persons who carried out the shooting with the Boxer Rebellion during the Ching Dynasty.

"Whoever is behind this shooting is like the anti-imperialist Boxer Rebellion, which totally ignored what human rights stand for," Lee said.

The Boxer Rebellion was a group of xenophobic nationalists in 1900 who believed that their martial arts skills made them immune to Western weapons.

Lee also said that the shooter or shooters in yesterday's incident must have been educated under the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) system.

Yesterday's shooting brought back memories of the accident that crippled first lady Wu Shu-chen in Tainan County 19 years ago.

On Nov. 18, 1985, Chen lost his bid for Tainan County commissioner. As Wu was traveling around the county after the election on behalf of her husband to thank voters for their support, she was run over by a truck -- several times -- in a dead-end street. The driver never stood trial.

That day, Chen's campaign headquarter received an anonymous phone call warning him not to run for political office again.

A memoir about Wu, The Story of Lady A-bian, which was published in 2000, stated that it was never proved that this incident was a "political accident."

Wu pointed out in the book that "I believe this incident had everything to do with the election."

The incident left Wu, then 33 years old, paralyzed from the waist down and reliant upon a wheelchair.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

Tainan residents gather at hospital to support president

By Chiu Yu-Tzu, STAFF REPORTER

Hundreds of Tainan residents yesterday gathered in front of Tainan County's Chi Mei Medical Center to show their strong support for President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu after hearing they had been shot.

After both Chen and Lu arrived at the hospital, pan-green supporters grew in number, waving flags and banners. Watched by hundreds of police officers, they stood outside the hospital' s emergency room, shouting "Elect A-bian!" The supporters condemned the shooting, with some crying out and demanding justice for Chen and Lu.

During the five hours Chen and Lu were in the hospital, local political figures visited them to express their commiserations.

"It' s not the time to evaluate the electoral situation but to consider the issue of national security," Tainan County Commissioner Su Huan-chih said after visiting the hospital.

"How could a terrible thing like this happen? This incident comes just as the people are at the end of their patience," Tainan County Councillor Lin I-chin told the Taipei Times outside the hospital. Lin said she and many supporters cried when hearing the news of the shooting.

At the time they had been waiting for the green-camp candidates to reach Yungkang township, adjacent to Tainan City.

But Yungkang's pro-DPP residents soon headed for the hospital, where the crowd's grief and indignation was becoming more pronounced. When the cancellation of campaign rallies in southern Taiwan was announced, more pan-green supporters descended upon the hospital.

Chen and Lu left the hospital at 7:10pm under heavy guard.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

Taiwan's date with destiny is today

By Li Thian-hok

The vernal equinox, the first day of spring, falls on March 20 this year. The vernal equinox of this year will be the day of Taiwan's destiny. Today's election will decide not just who will be the president, or whether the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) or the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-People First Party (PFP) alliance will rule the next four years, the outcome will also determine Taiwan's destiny.

After enduring nearly four decades of White Terror under martial law, Taiwan finally evolved into a democracy in the late 1980s. Many factors contributed to this development. The US recognized the PRC and cut off diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan in 1979. Taiwan became increasingly isolated from the international community. With industrialization, native Taiwanese began to gain wealth and leverage over the government. The lower ranks of the military and bureaucracy and even the KMT itself were increasingly filled with native Taiwanese. The US government, particularly the Congress, became critical of the authoritarian practices of the KMT government, such as the violation of civil rights as exhibited in the persecution of the "Kaohsiung Eight."

When the tang wai (outside the party) movement of political dissidents, which demanded a right to participate in the political process, became irresistible, then-president Chiang Ching-kuo reluctantly acquiesced in the emergence of the DPP political opposition.

Taiwan's democratization took place not because the autocratic government suddenly became enlightened, but in spite of the KMT's long years of resistance to democratic reform. The ascendancy of Lee Teng-hui to the presidency and his reform efforts during his 12 years in office were instrumental in advancing the process of democratization. However, many KMT politicians and officials who were born in China have never been able to shed their anti-democratic instincts or their basic allegiance to the dream of a unified China.

This is why KMT Chairman Lien Chan and PFP Chairman James Soong oppose the referendum, even though it represents a legitimate deepening of Taiwan's democracy and it will enable the people to declare to the whole world their desire to protect Taiwan's sovereignty and to peacefully coexist with the PRC.

The pan-blue alliance has never gracefully accepted defeat in the 2000 election. Instead of acting as a loyal opposition of a normal democracy, the opposition parties have obstructed every substantive reform proposal the government has presented, thus paralyzing the government time and again. The KMT-PFP alliance then used the pro-China electronic and print media to blame the stalemate on the government's ineptitude.

The pan-blue alliance is adept in making use of the freedom of speech to scuttle democratic institutions but it has no respect for the freedom of speech. When the Special Report series of VCDs criticizing certain KMT-PFP politicians was released several months ago, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou ordered them confiscated in his city, in clear violation of the Constitution.

If Lien wins the presidency, anti-democratic repression is likely to raise its ugly head and Taiwan's hard-won freedom will begin to erode.

Even more worrisome is what a Lien-Soong victory will do to Taiwan's future status. Both men have professed their goal of eventual unification with China. Lien, the self-proclaimed 100 percent pure Chinese, has pledged to travel to Beijing on a mission of peace as soon as he is elected. The PRC will not permit his pilgrimage to Beijing as the president of the ROC. Lien must go there as the governor of the Taiwan Province of the PRC. The trip will be tantamount to surrender of sovereignty and Taiwan's acceptance of Beijing's claim that it is part of the PRC.

A Lien government could then implement the direct links, promote integration of Taiwan's economy with that of China, including faster outflow of capital, technology and technical and management manpower to China, and encourage Chinese investment in Taiwan's industry, real estate and media. Taiwan's gate can also be opened wide to infiltration by China's intelligence agents, special operations troops and People's Liberation Army (PLA) officers. The size of Taiwan's military can be reduced steadily until its capacity to resist PRC aggression becomes insignificant. The pro-China media can be encouraged to propagate unification ideology. Sometime before 2008 Taiwan may be rendered so weak that Lien would be able to deliver it peacefully into the PLA's grasp.

The above scenario is quite plausible, given the Lien-Soong team's "one China" complex. To them, Taiwan is essentially a barbarian region destined to be ruled by the central authority of the Middle Kingdom. Their allegiance is to China. Kneeling and kissing Taiwan's earth one week before election day is eye-catching theater. But the love of Taiwan the gesture was supposed to demonstrate appeared insincere in view of the pair's anti-democratic and anti-Taiwanization deeds while in power.

Taiwan's 400-year-old history is an incessant struggle for liberty against alien rulers. Although those struggles were valiant, Taiwan's forebears never had a realistic chance to build an independent nation, even though the island was an independent kingdom from 1662 to 1683, and for several months in 1895 under the banner of the Taiwan Democratic Republic. Post-World War II developments made it possible for Taiwan to become a de facto independent state. This status quo can be maintained, but only if the people commit themselves to a democratic future and show their willingness to strive hard to keep their sovereignty and democracy.

All Taiwanese who cherish liberty, security and dignity must vote for the right team today. The freedom of their children and grandchildren depends on the right choice. The election itself is a momentous referendum on Taiwan's destiny. The vernal equinox is the first day of spring. It could symbolize the dawn of a bright new age for Ilha Formosa.

Li Thian-hok is a freelance commentator based in Pennsylvania.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

DPP urges supporters to stay calm

By Chang Yun-ping, STAFF REPORTER

Less than 24 hours ahead of today's election, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday condemned violence amid an assassination attempt on President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu in a campaign rally in Tainan City.

The party suspended all campaign activities immediately after the shooting.

DPP Secretary-General Chang Chun-hsiung, head of the party's campaign, yesterday issued three announcements regarding the incident, saying "the president and vice president have been hurt by bullets. However, they are not in a critical condition. They are both stable and alert.

"We condemn all violence and we urge all of our supporters to remain calm and pray for the health and well-being of the president and vice president. In order to stabilize society and to allow the election to be held tomorrow, we are suspending all of our campaign activities.

"We are asking our local officials, elected mayors and county commissioners to carry on the responsibilities of maintaining local social order. We urge our supporters to refrain from any kind of emotional confrontation with supporters of the other camp," Chang said.

DPP Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim said there had been no published threats against the president and the assassination attempt on the head of state was unprecedented.

Hsiao said the party's most significant effort yesterday was to prevent supporters from confronting blue-camp supporters.

"We've heard supporters of the other camp saying that it's a show and Chen has been putting on. We hope our supporters won't get into confrontations because of such remarks," Hsiao said.

All four campaign rallies planned for last night in Kaohsiung, Taichung, Taoyuan and Taipei were canceled.

DPP campaign manager Su Tseng-chang said that to "prevent any further activities that might cause further anxieties and worries for the president, and to maintain social order and harmony, we've decided to stop immediately all campaign activities. We also discourage any kind of prayer meetings."

Thousands of anxious supporters yesterday gathered at the campaign headquarters on Minsheng East Road, sounding bullhorns and shouting "A-bian Dong Suan," which is Taiwanese for "Chen get elected."

Priests and monks were invited to the headquarters to hold a prayer ceremony for Chen.

"It is really horrible if among us there is an assassin. The election has come to this point and being spoiled with this incident, it really makes a mockery of our democracy," an elder supporter said yesterday.

"We will give our utmost support to A-bian by giving him our votes tomorrow. We want the world to know Taiwan loves democracy, peace and no violence," a woman said while wiping away her tears.

Amid disappointment and worries, thousands of DPP supporters yesterday swarmed into the DPP headquarters and lingered until late last night to pray for Chen's health and re-election.

Chang told the crowd: "Don't forget our goal to keep walking the road of democracy, no matter what."

Former DPP chairman Lin Yi-hsiung said: "Please remain calm, and do not provoke. Go home now and go to vote tomorrow. That's the best way of showing your support."

Although the party yesterday canceled campaign activities, crowds of supporters yesterday remained at the Taipei Chungshan Soccer Stadium, where a half million people were supposed to attend a rally.

Rally hosts professor Hsieh Chih-wei and Council of Labor Affairs chairwoman Chen Chu comforted the emotionally charged supporters and urged them to go home.

Former president Lee Teng-hui, who took part in a motorcade rally in Taipei City yesterday, called off his campaigning for Chen following reports of the shooting.

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Chairman Huang Chu-wen said: "Former president Lee felt grieved for the misfortunes that befell President Chen. He was very sorry and wept for Chen."

Lee earlier yesterday appealed to his supporters to vote for Chen and in the referendum.

"Tomorrow will be the day of the moment of truth. Everyone should come out and give your vote to A-bian and the referendum to allow Taiwan to walk on the path of democracy and to give a better future for our next generation," Lee told crowds in Taipei's Wanhua and Tatung districts, which traditionally support the DPP.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

228 rally memorabilia donated

HISTORICAL RECORD: The Hand-in-Hand Taiwan Alliance has donated its vast collection of items related to the 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally to Academia Historica.

By Caroline Hong, STAFF REPORTER

To preserve the historical record of the 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally, the rally's organizer -- the Hand-in-Hand Taiwan Alliance -- announced yesterday that it will donate its vast collection of images, videos, photos, and essays about the event to the Academia Historica.

"The 228 rally was a historic moment with many meanings. Not only did it bring international attention to Taiwan, but to hold such an event on February 28, a day that still is an open wound in the Taiwanese psyche, gave the rally even greater significance for the Taiwanese people themselves," said Academia Historica President Chang Yen-hsien.

An estimated 2 million people across the country joined hands at 2:28pm on Feb. 28 to protest China's military threat.

Chiang said the Academia Historica has not yet decided how it will use the collection, but there are already plans for a published collection of essays and images as well as an exhibit on the Internet.

"It stirred everyone, from participants to observers, to see strangers holding hands across the nation. You could see the emotion as it flowed from one hand to another. The event was truly a people's moment," Chang said.

According to the Hand-in-Hand Alliance, the donation includes video clips, aerial and location photographs, and written memoirs about the event from people across the nation.

"We knew that we had to make a record of such a historic event," said Chen Chieng Ting, creative director of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU).

"To do this, the alliance's Digital Record Plan had volunteers go all over Taiwan on the day of the rally to gather the images and words of the Taiwanese," Chen said.

Chen added the plan was expanded to allow anyone to go to the Web site (www.itaiwan.org.tw) and upload their own personal pictures and thoughts of the event.

Huang Kuan-tsae, chairman of TaskCo.com and a member of the Digital Record Plan, said the organization currently has 1,500 volunteers who are sorting through the tens of thousands of images and essays received.

"Everyday, we receive 3,000 to 4,000 more through our Web site. We hope to bring more of these memoirs to the people in future events," Huang said.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

Ballot boycott harms Taiwan: MAC says

By Melody Chen, STAFF REPORTER

A low voter turnout in the referendum will damage the development of Taiwan's relationship with China, Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong said yesterday when asked to comment on opposition lawmakers' call to boycott the referendum.

The second referendum question, which asks voters whether they want the government to establish a "peace and stability framework" with China for cross-strait interactions, had been proposed by the Mainland Affairs Council.

A low turnout will give China the opportunity to further weaken international support for Taiwan, Chen said.

"The referendum is a means of building up the public's consensus. Such an institution is indeed needed in the country's democratization process," Chen said.

Regardless of whether people vote "yes" or "no," a consensus will be reached on how to handle cross-strait affairs, but if voters simply refuse to cast ballots, the hard-earned referendum instrument will be wasted, Chen said.

Asked how the government would respond if the majority votes "no," Chen said that it would accept the result as "an expression of the people's opinions."

Chen said that if the public says no to the first question -- whether to beef up the country's anti-missile defenses -- the government would continue communicating with the people about how to defend the country.

Nevertheless, the arms purchases that have been passed by the legislature will not be revoked as a consequence of the referendum results, Chen said.

If at least half the voters cast ballots in the referendum, the mechanism to create a consensus will be established, but a smaller turnout would create the impression that the public is hesitant to back the referendum, Chen said.

"China will interpret a low referendum turnout as a sign of a lack of consensus among the people and will take advantage of it to divide the public's opinions here. It will also reduce Taiwan's bargaining power in all future negotiations with China," he said.

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On March 20, 2004 ……

Democracy will help both sides

By Paul Lin

On the eve of the "war of the century" -- Taiwan's presidential election -- I have arrived in Taiwan to monitor the election. Although an observer, I have my own stance and feelings about the matter. They did not take shape by accident, and have undergone decades of transformation.

During my 21 years in China, I witnessed human rights being trampled, and lived a life without dignity. After I moved to Hong Kong in the mid-1970s, although I strongly opposed the Chinese regime, I took it for granted that Taiwan was a part of China. In 1984, I visited Taiwan for the first time. Frequent visits increased my affection for the island.

Taiwan has attracted me not only with its spectacular scenery, delicious snacks and simple customs and people, but also by the fact that I have witnessed its development into a democratic country. But China's oppression of Taiwan's democratic development has made me reconsider the unification issue. My perspective has switched from "pro-unification" to "pro-democracy" -- under which people are their own masters, and their will should be fully respected -- and to the self-awareness of Taiwan, which needs to rectify its own name.

First, China fired ballistic missiles into the Taiwan Strait in 1996 to deter Taiwan's presidential poll. I was in Taiwan at that time, and saw the absurdity of the ticket of former Judicial Yuan president Lin Yang-kang and former premier Hau Pei-tsun. Hau's remarks to a rally in Taichung shocked me, because his words sounded just like a "theory of subjugation." Hau was so afraid of Beijing that he was only anti-independence, not anti-communist. Luckily, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) did not attack Taiwan when he was the chief of the general staff. Otherwise, the country would have been destroyed a long time ago.

When former president Lee Teng-hui proposed the "special state-to-state" model of cross-strait relations in 1998, pro-unification politicians echoed Beijing in opposing the idea. This made me hate their fear of the communists and flattery of Beijing even more.

Second, I had originally wished that China and Taiwan could be unified after China's democratization. But the CCP has always insisted on its dictatorship and refused to countenance any political reforms. Taiwan cannot just sit back and wait for China's democratization, because it might be swallowed up by China before its democratization has been completed.

I have my own ideas about the democratization of China: emptying out the centralized government by local autonomy or independence. Taiwan and Hong Kong are the best examples of local democratization. Taiwanese independence is a good thing. The existence of a democratic Taiwan is actually the best encouragement for China's democratic movement. For those who zealously oppose Taiwan's independence -- where ever they are -- they are helping China to kill its democratic movement and its chances of becoming a democratic country, no matter how loudly their various democratic slogans are shouted.

Third, I know that Taiwan does not rule out the possibility of rectifying its name and becoming a real independent state. Due to the post-war cultural separation over the past half century, especially in the development of their political cultures, the gap between Taiwan and China is constantly broadening.

Fourth, some Taiwanese people's national identity is questionable. I am worried for Taiwan if this cannot be solved. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the People First Party's opposition to President Chen Shui-bian's administration through their legislative majority is an important cause of political trouble. I increasingly agree with those who advocate a change to the country's official name, holding referendums and creating a new constitution.

This time, the election and referendum are related to the future of the entire country, and whether each and every individual can live with dignity. The people of Taiwan have to cast their sacred ballots.

Paul Lin is a political commentator based in New York.

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