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Taiwan Quick Take

■ Politics
Huang files election lawsuit
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Huang Chun-ying (黃俊英) yesterday filed a lawsuit with the Kaohsiung District Court asking for the nullification of the city's mayoral election results on Dec. 9. Accompanied by KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) and lawyers, Huang slammed Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) and her campaign team for resorting to "dirty tricks." Huang said Chen had tried to ruin his reputation on the eve of the election by accusing him of involvement in a vote-buying scheme. This accusation affected voters and constituted "cheating," which meant that the election should be declared invalid, Huang said. Chiang said the lawsuit defended democratic values. Huang's camp has also filed an appeal with the Executive Yuan to rescind the Central Election Commission's declaration of Chen Chu as the winner of the election.

■ Justice
Chao Chien-ming accused
President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) son-in-law, Chao Chien-ming (趙建銘) -- who was sentenced to six years in jail for insider trading on Wednesday -- yesterday was accused by an opposition lawmaker of being involved in other scandals. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiu Yi (邱毅) filed a lawsuit against Chao relating to the alleged scandals at Taipei District Prosecutors Office yesterday. Chiu did not provide any evidence in support of his claims. Among the scandals Chiu asserts Chao was involved in was a real estate transaction involving dictator Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) Shilin Residence. Chiu said that Chao helped Shining Group, a construction company with large debts, purchase the land in exchange for a huge kickback. "The Shining Group bought the land, measuring 1,138 ping [about 3,761m2] at a price as low as NT$1.4 billion [US$42.8million]. It also borrowed NT$2.37 billion from Mega Holdings," Chiu claimed.

■ Weather
Cold times ahead: CWB
An approaching continental polar air mass could send temperatures in northern Taiwan to as low as 10oC during the night and early morning over the next three days, the Central Weather Bureau said yesterday. The meteorologists predicted that temperatures in areas north of Chiayi County would continue to drop during the daytime yesterday and that by night, temperatures could drop to 10oC. They said the cold weather was expected to persist until tomorrow, with big differences between day and night time temperatures. There is a chance of showers in northern, northeastern and eastern Taiwan over the next four days, while southern Taiwan will see clear skies, according to bureau forecasts. It issued a strong wind warning for coastal areas and waters, saying gusts could reach 100km per hour around the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島) and in other coastal areas.

■ Foreign affairs
No decision on envoy
Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) said yesterday the ministry had yet to receive notification from the Presidential Office about who would represent the nation at the inauguration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega next month. Huang made the remarks when fielding questions at a legislative committee meeting. Ortega's inauguration is set for Jan. 10, but Huang said that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had yet to decide whether to attend the inauguration ceremony himself or to send an envoy in his place.

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