In Taipei today a rally against embattled Taiwan leader Chen
Shui-bian, which clashes with the island's "national day"
celebrations, is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of
protestors.
Organizers say they expected as many as 2 million people to
protest in the square outside his office where the major
celebrations are also being held.?
"As Chen is the head of?Taiwan, he'll have to show up
during the celebrations," campaign spokesman Emile Sheng said. "And
certainly there won't be a better chance than this for the people
to voice their anger towards Chen Shui-bian."
Protesters are being asked to wear the color red in a display of
anger over the string of high-profile corruption scandals in which
Chen and his family have been implicated.
Chen's office urged people not to interrupt the "national day"
celebrations as such a move would tarnish the island's image.
Campaign organizers said they'd advised protesters against
disrupting the celebrations which include an honor guard parade and
are expected to attract large crowds.
"Our target is Chen Shui-bian rather than the 'national day'
celebrations," Sheng said.
Approximately 5,000 police officers are expected to patrol the
square. Campaign organizers have been asked to carry radios to
ensure communication and order are maintained during the protest
which is restricted to a designated area.
"Premier" Su Tseng-chang said the rally was illegal as the
organizers had not secured approval from the authorities but didn't
tell people to stay away.
Shih Ming-teh, a former Chen ally and also past chairman of his
ruling Democratic Progressive Party, started an island-wide protest
tour late last month to solicit support for his campaign. The tour
ended late on Saturday in central Taichung.
Pressure has mounted on Chen to resign after he was questioned
over alleged misuse of state funds.? He's denied any
wrongdoing and vowed to stay on until his second and final term
ends in May 2008.
On Friday the island's "parliament" will vote on a second recall
motion launched against Chen by the opposition People First
Party.?
(China Daily October 10, 2006)