Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
As press of time last night, hundreds of protesters were still at the scene -- many equipped with tents and sleeping bags for a long stay.
His appearance yesterday was Ma's third trip to Ketagalan Bou-levard in less than 24 hours, after visits at about 9:30pm and 11:50pm on Sunday night.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
However, Ma has not ordered the police to take action to force the crowd to leave.
"I urge you not to use klaxons to make noise in order not to disturb high-school students and hospital patients near here," Ma said yesterday.
"Anyone who feels uncomfortable can let the police know. We will try to help you. But I still hope you can go home as early as possible and return to a normal life," Ma said.
Ma's words aroused many people in the crowd, who shouted "No, no, we won't go!"
Ma met with Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (
However the mayor did not reveal what he and Lien discussed.
Ma faces difficulties because of the conflicting demands of his job as Taipei mayor and his role as the campaign manager of the pan-blue alliance since he is responsible for maintaining public order in the city.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Tsai Huang-liang (
Tsai said the protest by pan-blue supporters was testing the mayor's abilities and wisdom.
"If Ma does not handle this
incident as quickly and satisfactory as possible, his good political image will be sacrificed and his road to the presidential office will be full of obstructions," Tsai said.
However, Taipei Deputy Mayor Ou Chin-der (
"The central government cannot just throw the responsibility on the Taipei City Government and ask us to deal with it alone," Ou said.
Later in the day Cabinet Spokes-man Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) responded to Ou's complaint by saying that Premier Yu Shyi-kun empathized with Ma's awkward position. Lin said Yu had urged everyone to show understanding for Ma and tolerance for his decisions.
"The central government will go all out to coordinate with the Taipei City Government and provide any assistance that Mayor Ma needs at any time," Lin told a news conference.
Lin pointed out that communications between Ma and Yu are unobstructed and added the central government has added about 9,100 police officers to the city
Lin reject allegations that the Cabinet was "watching the riot with folded arms."
"We hope everyone understand that the political power cannot transcend the law," Lin said.
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