Wang asks for restraint at Double Ten celebrations

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) yesterday said that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers had promised him that they would not interfere with President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) speech during today's Double Ten National Day celebrations.

Wang yesterday met KMT Legislator Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱), who acted on behalf of the KMT group planning to join the "siege" of the presidential building in a bid to ensure that the their appearance would not interrupt the event.

Many KMT lawmakers and all People First Party lawmakers said they would wear red today, in response to the anti-Chen campaign's request.

"We can't prohibit them from wearing red clothes, but we hope they will take other people's views into consideration while expressing their opinions," Wang said.

Wang also appealed to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers, attending the celebrations, to show self-restraint when meeting with pan-blue lawmakers.

The DPP legislative caucus on Saturday issued a mobilization order to its 85 members to be present at the celebrations, and about 60 lawmakers agreed to show up.

Wang said the organizing committee for the celebrations had made arrangements to prevent conflicts between lawmakers.