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Actions are louder than words

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) claims that he loves democracy and his country, but his actions suggest otherwise. Lien lost to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in the March 20 election. However, unable to gracefully acknowledge defeat in the democratic process, Lien has set out on a crusade to undermine the legitimacy of the election.

First, Lien, without any evidence of voting fraud, denounced the election results and mobilized his supporters to protest in front of the presidential building. He even attempted (albeit unsuccessfully) to obtain permits for a two-month long demonstration in Taipei, a request that was denied by Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), a member of Lien's own party.

Second, Lien has continued to ally himself with the People First Party (PFP), even after the PFP engaged in a host of unashamedly undemocratic and uncivil actions in the wake of the election, ranging from razing police barricades and breaking into the Central Election Commission to -- perhaps most shockingly -- openly calling for violence against the Presidential Office, government offices and banks on its Web site. The Web content was later removed.

Third, Lien has refused to abide by the democratic process and timeframe for a ballot recount, demanding that Chen circumvent the Constitution and declare a national emergency to complete a total recount within 48 hours. When Chen agreed to a recount, Lien then retracted his demand for a complete recount, arguing instead (through his lawyer, on April 2) for a partial recount of only Chen's ballots.

Lien is willing to forsake three decades of democratic progress for the sake of his personal agenda, but the people have spoken otherwise. Even Lien's own party members are beginning to openly disagree with his actions.

I urge Lien to cease his demonstrations, denounce the violence and gracefully accept defeat. It is not only the proper results of the election that lie in the balance, but also the very future and prosperity of democracy in Taiwan.

Jack Chen
United States

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