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Hunger striker Lee treated by doctors following collapse

A student who flunked out of university before going on a hunger strike and calling for President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to resign was taken to National Taiwan University Hospital yesterday after collapsing on the sixth day of his fast.

Doctors at National Taiwan University Hospital said Lee Wen-cheng (黎文正), a junior majoring in clinical psychology at Fu Jen Catholic University until earlier this month, was in stable condition but that they would keep him under observation.

Earlier in the morning, Lee again appealed to Chen to accept a petition in person at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, where he began his hunger strike at 11pm last Thursday. Lee expressed his disappointment with the president, saying that if Chen still considered himself head of state, he should step forward courageously and face the voices of opposition in a way that reflected "true democracy."

He also asked Chen not to send any more lower-ranking officials to visit him.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Mark Chen (陳唐山) visited Lee a day earlier and told him that many people, including the president, were worried about his health and that he hoped he would take better care of himself.

Lee confirmed yesterday that he was dismissed by Fu Jen University for skipping classes and missing exams. But he said that being thrown out of the university did not alter his determination to seek the truth and did not affect his patriotism.

Lee said he had been absent from classes because he had been working a part-time job to support himself and his 80-year-old father. He said he had maintained a good study record.

He was the only person to go on a hunger strike among a group of university students who began a sit-in 32 days ago after a motion calling for Chen's resignation failed to pass the legislature last month.

Officials from the Presidential Office's Department of Public Affairs conveyed Chen's concern for Lee. The president said Lee should take better care of himself and find more "rational and peaceful" ways to express his opinions.

Lee was released by the hospital at about 7.30pm last night and said he planned to continue his hunger strike at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
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