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Connery may join pro-Taiwan rally

The original James Bond, veteran actor Sean Connery, is rumored to be coming to Taiwan to join the "228 Hand-in-Hand Rally" slated to take place on Feb. 28 as a symbol of determination and unity of the people of Taiwan in protecting Taiwan from China's missile threats, the organizer of the event said yesterday.

"The chances are good that Sean Connery will come to Taiwan to join the `228 Hand-in-Hand Rally' if everything goes as scheduled," Peter Wang (王獻極), deputy executive director of the Hand-in-Hand Taiwan Alliance, which is co-sponsored by the Taiwan Solidarity Union, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and a number of activist groups.

Wang yesterday revealed that the Presidential Office was behind the invitation to Connery, who met President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Nov. 3 in Panama City during Panama's centennial celebrations.

"The idea of inviting Sean Connery to visit Taiwan started at that time," Wang said.

Wang noted that Connery is expected to announce his itinerary at a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 26 and will appear on stage in front of the Presidential Office at 2:28pm on Feb. 28.

However, spokesman for the DPP's campaign headquarters Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) yesterday shied away from giving a definite answer as to whether the academy-award-winning actor would come to Taiwan for the event.

"There are many important guests the organizer is trying to invite to participate in this activity, but we are not definite at this point who the guests are and what kind of promises have been made," Wu said.

During the centennial celebration in Panama last November, Connery took the initiative in approaching Chen by asking an unspecified ambassador to Panama to arrange a meeting with Chen.

In their meeting, Connery was quoted as having said that he was a fan of the president. For his part, Chen said he was a loyal Sean Connery fan.

"You have numerous fans in Taiwan and are welcome to visit any time," Chen told Connery, who starred as the charismatic spy 007 in several James Bond films, including Dr. No (1962), Goldfinger (1964) and Diamonds Are Forever (1971).

The chain will take place on 228 Memorial Day, with people from around the country joining hands to form a colossal human chain 500km long along the west coast and shouting "Taiwan yes, China no!" at 2:28pm.

The 228 Memorial Day is in memory of the victims killed during an uprising on Feb. 28, 1947 by native Taiwanese to protest against the corrupt Chinese Nationlist Party regime.

Connery is known for his passionate support of Scotland's independence and has publicly advocated its seperation from England, although he was knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth in 2000.

Though Connery is a native of Scotland and bears a tattoo proclaiming "Scotland Forever," he does not reside there. He had once publicly said in March last year that he believes Scotland will one day become independent and only then will he move back to Scotland with his wife.
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