Fri, Dec 06, 2002 page3

• Frank Hsieh gets boost from his TSU friends

  HEATED CAMPAIGN Former president Lee Teng-hui endorsed the DPP's candidate at a rally last night, while his KMT opponent stressed his commitment to residents

  • By Chiu Yu-Tzu / STAFF REPORTER
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  DPP Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) received support from his TSU allies yesterday, while KMT candidate Huang Jun-ying (黃俊英) looked for support from labor groups.

  At a rally for TSU city council candidates last night in Kaohsiung, former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) lent his support to Hsieh.

  Lee said that construction projects have sprouted in the city since Hsieh took over as mayor.

  

  A supporter of KMT Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Huang Jun-ying, left, wears a mock bulletproof vest to draw attention to the crime situation in the city during a campaign march yesterday. Another supporter wears a mosquito net to make a statement about the high number of mosquitoes in Kaohsiung.

  PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

  "The city now competes with Taipei because Hsieh's leadership has resulted in the launch of a rapid transit system, the cleanup of Love River and an improvement in the quality of tap water," Lee said, implying that former mayor Wu Den-yi (吳敦義) had achieved little.

  At the rally, national policy adviser Alice King (金美齡) urged TSU supporters to vote for Hsieh.

  Earlier at the rally, Hsieh expressed his gratitude for the help TSU supporters have given him.

  At another rally yesterday, held for Hsieh and DPP city councilor candidates carrying the theme "Kaohsiung people, stand up," first lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍) condemned KMT Legislator Lee Chuan-chiao (李全教) for claiming that Hsieh received a NT$4.5 million check from Zanadau Development Corp majority shareholder Su Hui-chen (蘇惠珍).

  "Things like this have almost made the election meaningless," Wu said.

  Hsieh said at the rally that his trip to Taipei yesterday afternoon had clarified controversial issues relating to the check.

  But the check remained a hot issue in Kaohsiung. When asked whether Huang would also take time out of his campaign to respond to allegations, Huang's spokesman Lin Yi-shih (林益世) said the notion was ridiculous.

  "It's Hsieh's own business to prove his innocence. How could he request others to give up the election campaign?" Lin said.

  Huang was supported yesterday by the pan-blue camp, which carried out a march downtown to promote his campaign.

  Huang, who was dressed in military garb to show his combat effectiveness, admitted that Hsieh would benefit by receiving support from President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and former president Lee.

  "However, this is a mayoral election rather than a warm-up exercise for the 2004 presidential election," Huang said, "What I have is my resolution to serve residents," he said.

  Both Huang and Hsieh yesterday did their best to win support from labor and public servants.

  Huang held a rally to appeal to labor groups, saying that he knew their hardship because he is the son of a blacksmith.

  Meanwhile, former National Police Administration director-general Yao Kao-chiao (姚高橋), who is a KMT member, for the first time said he supported Hsieh, saying that the working rights of the police need to be improved.

  "Hsieh's consideration for both police and firemen demonstrates his vision to improve public security," Yao said.

  Yao said he did not fear possible punishment from the KMT for his support of Hsieh.

  Yao said he met with Hsieh more than 10 times recently to discuss strategies to improve public security in Kaohsiung.
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