Chen Shui-bian, “I Promise An Immediate Recount”

On March 27, Chen Shui-bian, president of Taiwan, said that he would accept an immediate, court-supervised recount.

After 500,000 Nationalist Party supporters crowded this city`s center in a protest of the island`s disputed presidential election on a large scale, most of the crowd moved to the memorial for long protest.

“Considering the National Election Commission’s (NEC) announcement on March 26 of the election results, I will introduce a consent-letter if the Nationalist Party files an election nullification lawsuit regarding the election and my winning,” Chen declared at the press conference. “However, Lien Chan, the Nationalist Party chairman, also should accept the result of the recount.” According to the law on election, a nullification lawsuit regarding an election and its winner should be filed after announcing the election result.

“To solve current disruption, I will meet Lien and Sung Chuyu, who are pro-Nationalist Party, without any condition,” Chen said. “However, we cannot stand disturbing gatherings any more. Crowds at the city’s center should disperse voluntarily.

Regarding the conspiracy of “self-drama,” Chen added, “I would welcome the participation of any independent forensics experts. Also, I will not exclude experts, who are recommended by Nationalist Party, in the investigation.

Previously, nearly 500,000 pro-Nationalist Party people, who came to the capital by bus or train from all over Taiwan, paraded to Taipei in a cold drizzle, crying out “investigation of illegal election” and calling for the “resignation of Chen.”

Lien showed up at the lectern, on which the slogan “death of democracy” is written, was dressed in black and asked repeatedly for an immediate, open, and complete recount, the revelation of the truth of the shooting incident, and an explanation for why an emergency situation was put in motion.

“Chen should explain every conspiracy at this meeting,” he warned. “If he does not appear today, we will hold a large-scale demonstration in April. And if he refuses to explain again, we will hold another demonstration on May 20, on Inauguration day.”

“The recount of the NEP is just like a recount of Chen himself. The court or the prosecution should recount impartially,” Sung said. “If the recount reveals the truth of the shooting incident toward re-election, I will resign the candidacy for deputy-president in order to exert myself for Lien’s campaign.”

Citizens, who have kept all-night protests since March 21, were moved to the memorial by the force of the police. Yet, there was no collision.

On the other hand, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the White House’s public congratulations to President Chen on March 27 for being the winner as interference in the domestic affairs of another country.

Yoo-Seong Hwang yshwang@donga.com