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Chen Shui-bian’s staffers warn of protest death plot

Former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) office said yesterday it had received intelligence indicating that a man intended to assassinate Chen during a demonstration on Saturday organized by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and other pro-localization groups.

The office issued a statement saying that it was told on Monday that a former member of the “red shirt” anti-Chen campaign, who has a police record for manslaughter and breach of public safety, had threatened to kill Chen during Saturday’s rally.

“The National Security Bureau is aware of the intelligence and the police are closely monitoring the situation,” the statement said.

The office said that Saturday’s demonstration would be a lawful assembly aimed both at opposing inferior Chinese products and protecting Taiwan’s interests. Organizers said participants would demand compensation from China, ask President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to apologize and request that Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) step down.

The statement said Chen had made it clear he would not do anything that would deviate from the theme of the demonstration, nor would he make a speech. He said he would just be there to listen.

“Please look at the event rationally and respect individual rights and freedoms. People are entitled to express their different point of view,” the statement said.

“Please try to avoid any conflict or causing any trouble,” it said.

The office urged the security and intelligence agencies to be alert and prevent any illegal behavior during the protest.

The decision by Chen, who is embroiled in allegations of money laundering, to take part in the protest has divided the DPP and organizers. Some said the organizers should distance themselves from Chen, while others argued that Chen has every right to participate.

Meanwhile, Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Chairman Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝) said yesterday that former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) would not attend the protest.

Huang said that Lee had another engagement that day, a forum where he would talk about his thoughts on Ma’s China policy and the planned visit of Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林).

While the protest is set to begin at five separate locations, the TSU has said that Chen Shui-bian is not welcome on its route. The former president will be at the Dinghao Plaza because it is closer to his residence.
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