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Election rivals sign on for March battle

President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu are welcomed by supporters as they arrive at the Central Election Commission yesterday to register their candidacy for the presidential election. PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and his election rival Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) made their presidential candidacies official yesterday by registering with the Central Election Commission.

Escorted by representatives of the nation's four major ethnic groups -- Hakka, Hoklo (Taiwanese), Aboriginal and Mainlander -- Chen and running mate Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) put down their names to contest the March 20 election.

In a pre-registration address at DPP headquarters in Taipei, Chen said that on the same day as the election, the 23 million people of Taiwan would accomplish their first referendum based on their belief in identifying with Taiwan and to insist on further reforms.

The government intends to hold a national referendum on the Chinese missile threat and a framework for cross-strait stability alongside the election.

"The ballot held in conjunction with the March 20 presidential election signifies not only Taiwan's democracy but also peace across the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, under the pillars of democracy and peace, the Taiwanese people will continue to pursue sustainable economic development and quality of life. This is my mission and the promise the Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] has made to the people," Chen said.

"[The referendum] signifies not only Taiwan's democracy but also peace across the Taiwan Strait."

President Chen Shui-bian

Citing the successful completion of a 70,000-strong rehearsal for the upcoming "228 Hand-in-Hand" event, which will see 1 million people form a human chain across the country on Feb. 28, Chen said he envisaged a bright and beautiful future for Taiwan.

Chen said the democratization process would be furthered by the election-day referendum and that he would continue to strive for a peaceful and stable nation while opposing any use of force against the country.

Chen said Taiwan would also seek prosperity, social justice, more domestic reform, ethnic harmony, corruption-free politics, environmental protection, international humanitarian participation and vibrant national development.

Chen and Lu received an exuberant welcome from supporters on their arrival at the election commission, where they submitted a registration form along with a NT$15 million deposit.

Two hours after Chen and Lu's appearance, Lien, accompanied by a phalanx of KMT officials, arrived at the commission with his running mate, People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜).

Not to be outdone by the pan-green welcome for Chen and Lu, crowds of pan-blue supporters waved campaign flags welcoming the arrival of Lien and Soong.

Lien and Soong linked hands with fellow pan-blue officials and chanted slogans before climbing on to the top of a jeep to deliver a speech.

Saying that the KMT-PFP alliance would do a better job than the DPP in managing the nation's economy and serving the people , Lien urged the public to use their votes to oust Chen.

"The past four years have been a nightmare for everyone," Lien told the crowd after completing the registration. "March 20 will be the time when the people of Taiwan can change their lives by voting Chen and his DPP administration out of office and bring about the nation's second transfer of power."

"We will not let anyone down," said Lien, who finished a distant third in the 2000 presidential race behind Chen and Soong. "We will try our utmost to realize success and victory."

Criticizing the DPP administration's record, Soong said that "Lien is the right man to be the leader to lead Taiwan toward a better future."

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