Chen may not attend Double Ten party

Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Lin Kuo-ching (林國慶) told a press conference yesterday that the National Day celebration should be called off as information had showed that "some people plan to create turmoil."

"Pan-blue lawmakers have refused to attend celebrations held by the DPP government over the past six years, but there are already 60 lawmakers registered to attend this year. They plan to dress in red," Lin said, adding that rumors were also circulating that people were planning to carry weapons and gasoline bombs to disturb the festivities.

Lin suggested the DPP mobilize its caucus members on the day to counter the planned demonstration by pan-blue lawmakers, but the caucus disapproved of the idea, with caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) saying that it needed to be discussed.

Nevertheless, Lin said that he and 10 other DPP lawmakers had told the organizing committee that they would be present at the celebrations.

Minister of the Interior Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) yesterday told lawmakers in the legislature's Home and Nations Committee that the ministry suggested the cancelation because of "inadequate police numbers."

"If the festivities go ahead as usual this year, the ministry will spare no effort in trying to maintain order. We will deploy at least 5,000 police officers on the day. It's my responsibility to maintain public security and ensure the festivities go smoothly," Lee said.

But that idea was also rejected by Wang Jin-pyng.

At a press conference at the Government Information Office yesterday morning to introduce the Double Ten festivities, Wang Jin-pyng said all activities would take place, but that he was not sure whether the president would attend all of them.

"It is our country's birthday. The celebration activities will not be suspended unless there is good reason," Wang Jin-pyng said.

Wang urged the public to put aside their differences.

"A lot of foreign guests and visitors will be in attendance. We want to impress them instead of embarrassing ourselves," Wang Jin-pyng said.

When asked whether Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) would represent the president to speak at the opening ceremony, Wang Jin-pyng said that only the president would address the nation at the ceremony.

Among the day's events will be a main parade at the front of the Presidential Office which will begin at 9:11am and an outdoor party in Kaohsiung City's Glory Dock (光榮碼頭) at 7pm.

There will also be a fireworks display at the No. 3 Watergate on the Tamsui River in Taipei at 7pm.