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No address from Chen at National Day celebrations

A group of soldiers prepares military vehicles on Wednesday near the Presidential Office for the Double Ten National Day celebration. PHOTO: CHIEN JUNG-FONG, TAIPEI TIMES

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) announced yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) would not be making a speech in front of the Presidential Office during the Double Ten National Day celebrations.

"The decision has been made because of safety concerns," Wang said. "In addition, and in accordance with a request from the Presidential Office, the two UN bid constructions in front of the Presidential Office will remain."

Wang, who is convener of the National Day celebrations, made the remarks during a press conference at the Government Information Office yesterday afternoon and said that this would be the first time the president would not speak during the celebrations in front of the Presidential Office.

Wang also said that students, soldiers and government employees would not be required to participate in National Day activities. Students will not be required to hold up slogans on umbrellas or placards, he said.

Among the planned activities for National Day, the "military display" by 2,300 service personnel, 71 aircraft and 213 military vehicles will be the highlight. Wang said that Army paratroopers would land in front of the Presidential Office weather permitting.

The latest rehearsal for the military parade was held early yesterday morning. In addition to a parade of troops, there was also a demonstration of how police should handle a riot. This included leading the "head of state" from the podium and having hundreds of military policemen rush forward from the buildings adjacent to the Presidential Office to the area in front of the stage, armed with batons to form a human wall. The exercise was carried out by a battalion of students from the Military Police School.

A large number of armored cars arrived at Zhonghua Rd, near the Ximending District, on Tuesday night. The AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles were transported on other vehicles to avoid damaging the road. Other wheeled vehicles drove to the assembly point at Chongqing S Road.

Between the Presidential Office and the stage, an exercise was held in handling a scenario in which one of the invited guests on stage holds up a protest sign. The media was not allowed to cover this part of the rehearsal. A participant in the rehearsal was heard yelling "Long live the Republic of China!" and the "head of state" was brought back to the Presidential Office, surrounded by special agents.

The final rehearsal for the celebrations will be rescheduled from Sunday morning to Monday afternoon at around 2pm because of Typhoon Krosa, Wang said.

In addition to the celebration in Taipei, the traditional National Day firework display will be held at the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area (大鵬灣國家風景區) in Pingtung County at 7pm.

If it rains, the show will be held on Oct. 13.
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