Sat, Mar 22, 2008 page1

• Hsieh, Ma make last push for support

  LAST THROW OF DIE Frank Hsieh promised to implement 'reconciliation and co-existence' if elected, and pledged to make an all-out effort to ease political tensions

  • By Ko Shu-ling and Mo Yan-chih / STAFF REPORTERS
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  The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidates traversed the nation yesterday in last-minute attempts to boost support ahead of today's presidential election.

  In emotional pleas to supporters ahead of today's poll, the DPP's Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) promised to improve the performance of the government and uphold Taiwan's sovereignty while the KMT's Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) told voters that it was time for a change.

  Speaking at his campaign headquarters in Taipei earlier yesterday, Hsieh asked voters to exercise caution when they cast their ballots, saying Taiwan's future relied on an awakening of its people.

  "[Today's] election is not just an election but an important decision of the people," he said. "Your vote is not to add flowers to embroidery but to offer fuel in snowy weather."

  Leading his campaign team in a bow to the public, Hsieh said if elected, he would rectify the shortcomings of the current DPP administration.

  "I will do better and I will not let you down," he said.

  Hsieh promised, if elected, to restore political stability in a speedy manner and end political infighting. He also pledged to mend the fractures caused during the election process, implement his economic policy to increase individual incomes, lower unemployment, create a safe environment for children and women and establish social justice.

  "We are humble before the people," he said. "We are asking you to cast the sacred ballot in your hand for the hope of Taiwan and its future."

  In related news, Hsieh yesterday thanked former Academia Sinica president and Nobel laureate Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) for his support and promised to be more humble towards the opposition and the people.

  "With its three-quarters majority, the KMT can easily drive me out of office," he said. "I will follow the Constitution and cannot afford to make a mistake."

  He promised, if elected, to implement "reconciliation and co-existence," which he said has been his political belief since he entered politics.

  "There is no one who I cannot cooperate or reconcile with," Hsieh said. "I do it for the sake of the people."

  To avoid political confrontation, Hsieh said he would respect the majority party in the legislature and negotiate with the KMT on the appointment of the premier.

  While he would set the policy for cross-strait relations, foreign affairs and national defense, Hsieh said he would let the premier take care of the rest.

  While he is in favor of opening up further to China, he said a Taiwan-centered consciousness and national interests must be upheld.

  He also pledged to make an all-out effort to ease political tensions, saying with the end of the election, the battle between those who support President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and those who support his KMT rival Ma would come to an end.

  Saying he was impressed by Hsieh's "reconciliation and co-existence" concept, Lee said that he was steadfast in his support for Hsieh this time, unlike his last-minute endorsement of Chen in the 2000 presidential election.

  Lee said he would like to see Hsieh bring change to the country, meet the people's expectations and establish a government that is free of corruption.

  In related news, former DPP chairman Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) yesterday endorsed the DPP ticket, saying it would only be conducive to the country's democratic development if there were two political forces checking each other's power.

  He said although he was disappointed at the performance of the DPP administration over the past eight years, the KMT was even worse.

  Beijing's bloody crackdown on Tibet should serve as a sharp warning for the China-friendly KMT, he said, adding that they might want to reconsider their "one China market."

  Lin's daughter, Lin Huan-chin (林奐均), also endorsed Hsieh, saying that the KMT is a party that has not changed over the past 28 years.

  She also criticized the KMT for lying about its support for the referendum seeking UN membership. She urged the public to learn a lesson from China's crackdown in Tibet and decide whether they want to vote for a party that will protect the country or one that will lean toward a giant neighbor that constantly threatens the nation.

  Ma yesterday condemned the DPP for causing eight years of misery and pledged to be a "public president" and put an end to long-term conflicts between political parties if elected today.

  "The DPP caused the harm, and it is not the victim. The miserable situation in Taiwan today is caused by the DPP, and the party has no right to ask for the people's sympathy," Ma said yesterday while canvassing support in Taipei County.

  On the final day before the election, Ma called on the public to change the future of Taiwan by casting their ballots.

  "I urge everyone to cast their ballots because their votes will change the future of Taiwan," Ma told a press conference at his Taipei campaign office.

  "What we want to see is a wealthy Taiwan, not a poor country. We want a Taiwan that opens its door to the world, not a country that locks itself away ... And we want to see light, not dark," he said.

  When asked about the DPP's accusations of KMT vote-buying, Ma said that the party and his camp did not buy votes.

  Ma spent the final day of the campaign in Taipei County during the day, before heading to Taichung and Kaohsiung for election eve parties.

  He canceled campaign events planned for the afternoon claiming to be preparing campaign speeches yesterday evening, but later resumed activities in Sanchung (三重) and shrugged off rumors that the events were canceled because of safety concerns.

  Ma later joined running mate Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) at Kaohsiung Dream Mall plaza at the election eve party, promising to upgrade Kaohsiung's port by implementing cross-strait direct links if elected.

  Ma also promised to continue the construction of MRT and railway systems in Kaohsiung, while vowing to revive the area's economy by attracting more high-tech companies.

  Seeking to solicit support in one of the pan-green camp's strongholds, Ma once again assured supporters that he would not allow Chinese laborers and agricultural products into Taiwan.

  "I, Ma Ying-jeou will not sell Taiwan out. I will make Taiwan's interest the priority," he said.

  About 100,000 pan-blue supporters from Kaohsiung, Chiayi and Tainan gathered at the plaza last night, waving campaign flags and cheering for Ma.

  He then rushed to Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium to join his wife Chow Mei-ching (周美青) at another event.

  In Taipei, KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) and former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) led hundreds of pan-blue supporters gathered at Ketagalan Boulevard.

  KMT officials joined each other via live broadcasts and arranged candles in the shape of Taiwan to represent the KMT's determination to bring Taiwan a better future.

  Earlier yesterday Wu accused the DPP of adopting dirty tricks at the last minute before the election, pledging to stay at KMT headquarters all day to monitor the situation.

  Ma's two daughters, Lesley Ma (馬唯中) and Kelly Ma (馬元中), are arriving from the US this morning to cast their vote.

  Also See: EDITORIAL: Frank Hsieh: lesser of two evils
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