Security tightened before recall vote

Tensions mounted and police stepped up security near the legislature yesterday, on the eve of the nation's first-ever vote on whether to recall the president.

Signs ordering drivers to move vehicles parked near the legislature were posted yesterday and police placed barbed wire in the area in preparation for potential clashes today between emotional opposition and government supporters.

The opposition-sponsored vote on recalling President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is unlikely to pass, since that would require two-thirds support from the legislature and the opposition holds only a slim majority of 112 out of 221 occupied seats. Only three independent legislators have said they will support the recall, and the entire pan-green camp is expected to reject the motion by boycotting the vote or casting invalid ballots.

Legislators have one-and-a-half-hours this morning to cast their votes, and a result is expected before noon.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) called on legislators to make sure that their supporters keep calm.

"No matter what the result is, everyone should accept it," Wang said.

In accordance with related regulations, today's vote will not be secret, as each legislator can cast a ballot with his or her name on it.

Opposition campaign

The recall motion was initiated by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and People First Party (PFP) in response to a recent spate of corruption scandals involving the president's relatives and close aides.

If the recall effort passed the legislature, the support of more than half of eligible voters in a nationwide referendum would be needed to remove Chen from office.

In an attempt to foster a sense of unity within the pan-blue camp, KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) visited PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) last night, spending about 30 minutes with him at the sit-in in front of the Legislative Yuan.

Soong will also be holding a press conference this morning to tell the international community why his party has been pushing for the president's ouster.

Both KMT and PFP caucuses said that all of their members would be required to cast a "yes" vote on the recall motion, and that those who violate the order would be punished in accordance with their party's disciplinary procedures.

Disappointment

A group of Aborigines led by independent Legislator May Chin (高金素梅) have joined the sit-in protest with Soong since Saturday afternoon.

The blind Aboriginal poet Monaneng (莫那能) said that he was very disappointed with the president, noting that Chen had promised Aborigines many things but had accomplished none of them in the past six years.

"Although I can't see, I know clearly what is black and white in my heart. I supported the president for more than 20 years, but now I don't want to support a corrupt government," he said.

DPP caucus whip Chen Chin-jun (陳景峻) said that DPP legislators will attend today's voting session, but that they will not receive or cast any ballots.

To express its support for the president, the DPP has called on supporters to protest against the recall vote outside the legislature. The DPP will make an effort to avoid possible conflicts or disorder, said Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), the director of the DPP's Department of Social Development.

The DPP plans to mobilize about 5,000 people to join in the protest and estimates that the rally will have a total turnout of 10,000, Lin said.