Change history, says Chen

A huge crowd of people attended a rally last night to show their support for DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian. The party was held at the domed stadium in Taichung. PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING TAIPEI TIMES

In the pouring rain with a backdrop of pounding drums and blaring air-horns, DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) called on a crowd of over 100,000 to come and help rewrite Taiwan's history on election day.

Standing on a huge stage with a three-story backdrop, Chen called on supporters to take their cue from Lee Yuan-tseh to help the DPP to successfully carry out a shift in power.

"Those who are standing beside Lien Chan and James Soong are gangsters and corrupt officials like Luo Fu-chu (羅福助), Yen Ching-piao (顏清標), Wu Tze-yuan (伍澤元), and Kuo Ting-tsai (郭廷才)," Chen said .

Chen said that people like Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲), National Security Council advisor, Chen Pi-chao (陳必照), and leading businessmen like Nita Ing of the Taiwan High Speed Railway Corporation, Chi Mai president Hsu Wen-lung, and Acer CEO Stan Shih (施振榮) were willing to step in behind him.

These supporters have expressed a willingness to join Chen Shui-bian's National Policy Advisory Committee if he is elected.

"The KMT has been in power for 55 years and now elites in our society who have a good image and are eager to reform are here to help us."

Chen Shui-bian

"The KMT has been in power for 55 years and now elites in our society who have a good image and are eager to reform are here to help us," Chen said as rain continued to fall.

Chen said that corruption would never be eradicated if either independent candidate James Soong (宋楚瑜) or KMT candidate Lien Chan (連戰) were elected.

On the stage with Chen were his running mate, Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), and DPP chairman Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) and his wife.

Former presidential candidate Peng Ming-min (彭明敏) was also on stage wearing an "A-bian" fishing cap along with Academia Sinica member Lee Chen-yuan (李鎮源).

Chen praised those who had stepped forward to support him, most notably Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh.

Supporters in the crowd were undaunted by the rain, waving flags and standing for the entire duration of the rally.

Chen dismissed his opponents claims that he would provoke China if elected.

Chen said he would not deliberately not press three related moves that might destabilize cross-strait relations.

"I would not push for an amendment to include the `two-state theory,' in the Constitution, nor would I push for a referendum on the issue of whether Taiwan should seek independence or re-unify with China," he said.

He also said that, in the current circumstances, it is not necessary to change Taiwan's official name of the Republic of China, adding that the move wouldn't take place unless China attacks Taiwan.

Chen called on all of his supporters to join together and make an historic choice: to change Taiwan's fate and root out corruption from politics.

"Four years ago Peng Ming-min (彭明敏) and Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) -- the DPP ticket in the 1996 election -- weren't able to see a transition in power and now we do have a chance and we will win," the DPP candidate told the crowd.