DPP members then led the crowd away from the scene to avoid further conflict, Tsai said, adding that “actually almost all the protesters were peaceful and disciplined during the demonstration.”
Tsai said the party announced at 5:30pm that the rally was over. It was regrettable that some protesters headed to the Grand Hotel afterward, Tsai said, adding that the party had sent officials to persuade them to leave, but some of the people had been unwilling to go.
Tsai suspected that gangsters might have been behind some of the clashes with police, adding that the party had received information before the rally that some people who were not DPP supporters were planning to create trouble.
Tsai also promised to punish DPP members who failed to follow the party’s directives.
During Ma’s interview, he proposed arranging a meeting between Chen and Tsai during Chen’s next visit so that they could exchange opinions and ease tensions.
The clashes could be prevented next time if Tsai and Chen were given the opportunity to meet and exchange views, Ma said.
“When the DPP was in power, I think they did want to have some exchanges with China. I don’t think they should refuse if given such an opportunity,” Ma said.
Ma hailed the four agreements signed during Chen’s meeting with Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) on Tuesday.
When asked to comment on Chen’s failure to address him as “President Ma” during their brief meeting on Thursday, Ma acknowledged that ARATS and his administration had not reached a consensus on the official title issue, but said that the development of cross-strait relations was more important.
“What is important is that we do not deny each other’s existence and we take cross-strait relations a step further,” Ma said.
Ma said he had received Chen in his capacity as president of the Republic of China and the marshal had announced “the president has arrived” when he entered the room.
“Do I have to wring his neck and say: ‘I won’t let you go back to China if you don’t call me President Ma?’ Do I need to do that? It’s unnecessary,” Ma said.
Meanwhile, Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan (賴幸媛) said yesterday that although the clashes between police and protesters were not what the government wished to see, the council would continue with cross-strait negotiations and exchanges.
Lai also promised to put more effort into seeking a consensus on cross-strait relations with different groups in the country, while urging the opposition parties to allow the council to explain its cross-strait policies to them.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CNA
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