Foreign observers in Taiwan voiced their admiration for the nation's democratic process as they watched the results of the election unfold at the vote tabulation center last night, especially in the wake of Friday's assassination attempt on President Chen Shui-bian (
Foreign officials, academics and other observers showed a great deal of respect for the way the poll was handled, and by the calm of the people in the wake of the shooting.
"Everybody in the international community is paying tribute to how it was managed. It was the real will of the Taiwan people, without manipulation or bad practices," said Sandor Matyus, the representative of the Hungarian Trade Office in Taiwan.
He also called the decision to go ahead with the voting despite the shooting a "wise decision."
"I was impressed by how democratic it was. We were impressed by how enthusiastic about democracy the people were and how tight the results were," said Ole Diehl, a foreign-policy adviser to Germany's FDP party, an opposition party member of the Liberal International.
The election will improve people-to-people relations between India and Taiwan, predicted Jagdish Singh, a correspondent with the National Herald newspaper. Although he did not think the election results would change the Indian government's relations with Taiwan, "the people of India would certainly be happy with the way democracy has progressed in this country."
Lowell Dittmer, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, did not see any major impact of Chen's victory, saying "It is more of the same. It is the continuity of an incumbent."
He felt that holding the referendum "caused the [Bush] administration to withdraw its support for him [Chen] temporarily," but "it should be only a blip in the relationship. I think the relationship is very strong."
Tom Stockton, another American academic, said Washington may now find ways to help Taiwan take part in international organizations.
"There was talk before the election that the administration has sent signals to whoever would win that if they calm down the rhetoric, the United States would find new avenues to expand Taiwan's international presence, particularly in the World Health Organization," Stockton said.
Whatever happens, the election has raised the question of Taiwanese identity to a major political position, observers feel.
"I was impressed how little role any subject other than identity played the election cam-paign," Diehl said.
David Brown, of the School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins in Washington, said, "What is important about this election is that the whole center of opinion on the island has moved in the direction of a strong sense of Taiwan identity."
Meanwhile, the US reacted to the shooting with condemnation for the attack and praise for Taiwan's democracy.
"The United States condemns the act of violence today," the White House said in a statement issued Friday. "We are thankful to learn that Mr. Chen Shui-bian and Ms. Annette Lu avoided life-threatening injuries, and our prayers are with them and their families for speedy, full recovery."
The White House said: "The calm that has prevailed on Taiwan since the shooting underscores the civic responsibility of the Taiwan people and the strength of their democratic system.
The four co-chairmen of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus sent a letter to Chen and Lu expressing their "deepest condolences and heartfelt concern."
And Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly contacted Chen Chien-jen (
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