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Letters:

Vote 1, for everybody's sake

It is regrettable that the pan-blue camp could not set aside political ideologies to join hands with the 1.5 million-plus Taiwanese in peaceful solidarity to demonstrate against China's aggression on Feb. 28.

However, to the peace-loving, passionate Taiwanese who turned up hand-in-hand on Saturday, I salute you all and reserve for you my overwhelming respect and heartfelt gratitude. Your loyalty and love is awe-inspiring and has brought us much hope, goodwill and happy tears for an anniversary that was, until now, only a regrettable and bloody reminder of the despicable Chinese invasion of our homeland.

As the March 20 presidential election draws near, Taiwan is clearly at a crossroads. Without a doubt, the re-election of Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is the only way to further cement democratization and defy the pan-blue camp's delusional and unwelcome Sinicization of the country.

The historic referendum must also be taken seriously. Voters must vote with the future in mind -- Taiwan can

ill afford to procrastinate and leave a political Chernobyl to future generations.

On March 20, voters must confront reality and bear its heavy cross as long as necessary to protect the right to self-determination of Taiwan's children.

They deserve nothing less.

Fifty-seven years ago, many thousands of unsung heroes lost their lives in the fight for freedom for all Taiwanese. Many more perished since that woeful time and millions who lived through the White Terror years under oppression and fear can attest to the dangers and uncertainty of reverting to Chinese rule. We can forgive but we must never forget

the suffering and oppression inflicted upon our nation by the invaders.

Above all, we must not ever forget the sacrifice and altruism of our predecessors who were murdered, jailed, oppressed, ridiculed and marginalized by those who invaded our country -- only because they dared to hope for justice.

On March 20, cast your hard-won vote in the spirit of all those who have fought and died for your freedom and the right to choose your destiny. Cast your vote in the memory of 228. Cast your vote with all the passion and love you have for our Ilha Formosa. Your vote is important, because justice must prevail in Taiwan.

Say yes to Taiwan: Vote 1 for Chen, for the sake of our beloved homeland, in the name of the past and in the name of the future.

Jennifer Chen
Melbourne, Australia
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