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Frank Hsieh vows to support Kinmen's people if they want to legalize casinos

Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday promised the people of Kinmen that the government will support them if both the island's inhabitants and the local government support the idea of legalizing casinos.

"The government will not encourage the establishment of casinos in Taiwan's offshore islands such as Kinmen and Penghu, but if the local people and local governments support the idea, the central government will change its attitude and help them. However, that will only happen when related mechanisms have been completed," Hsieh said.

The premier said that he has discussed this issue with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and both of them believed that it is would be acceptable to legalize casinos in Kinmen and Penghu if the developers can construct "entertainment-style" establishments.

"By `entertainment-style' I mean those casinos at which the whole family will be welcome, instead of casinos which will only attract gamblers," Hsieh said.

"The casinos in Las Vegas will be the role models for us if we want to do it," he said.

Hsieh visited Kinmen yesterday afternoon.

He promised that the government will help to revitalize the island's businesses on all levels.

Hsieh said that the Cabinet has damaged its relationship with the legislature over the casino issue for the past few years because both sides insisted on having their own way.

The premier also said that Kinmen's problem with landmines and scrap ammunition must be solved as soon as possible.

He said that the Kinmen County Government is currently working on the problem with help from foreign mine-sweeping experts.

"Since Kinmen used to be a battlefield during [China's] civil war, there are a lot of abandoned mines which could explode and injure innocent people. If we want to develop the tourism business, we have to get rid of these abandoned mines first," he said.

Hsieh also visited Kinhu Elementary School, where he met a group of the school's female gymnasts, ranging from six to 12 years old.

The premier, who was a gymnast when he was a teenager, was treated to a performance by four members of Kinhu's gymnastics team.

Hsieh donated NT$500,000 yesterday to help the team grow.
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