SOWING DIVISIONS: At a forum the former president said China was using Lien Chan to destabilize Taiwanese society and that the nation's democracy was under threat
By Jewel Huang
Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday warned that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) visit to China has sparked three crises that will eliminate Taiwan's sovereignty, freedom and democracy, and said that Lien might collude with China to launch a "political blitz" to destabilize Taiwan, such as a bid to recall the president.

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CHINA TRIP: On the second day of his stop in Xian, Lien Chan paid his respects at the grave of his grandmother for the first time in 60 years
By Caroline Hong
Fulfilling his family obligations at last, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) yesterday capped the end of his hometown visit in Xian, China with a trip to his grandmother's grave before heading to Shanghai to meet with China's top negotiator with Taiwan, Wang Daohan (汪道涵), today.

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COOPERATION: The party said the two had spoken, but would not comment on whether the president had asked the PFP chairman to take a message to Beijing
By Caroline Hong
People First Party (PFP) spokesman Hsieh Kung-pin (謝公秉) yesterday confirmed that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) had communicated on the phone but refused to confirm or deny Chen's remarks saying that he asked Soong to relay a message to Chinese leaders during Soong's upcoming tour of China.

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By Jimmy Chuang
Both Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers expressed goodwill toward President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who left on a trip to the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu early yesterday morning.

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POLLS: While only 40 percent thought the KMT chief's trip was a good idea before he left, after his meeting in Beijing, over half said they supported the journey
A visit to Beijing by the chairman of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) seems to have increased public support in Taiwan for improved relations with China, but may have also damaged the cooperation among political parties needed for an actual shift in policy.

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UNHOLY ALLIANCE: The New Party secretary-general has been fingered by police for directing gangsters to attack pan-green protesters during a fight at the airport
By Rich Chang
Police yesterday accused New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming (郁慕明) and his Secretary-General Lee Sheng-feng (李勝峰) of pushing police at CKS International Airport last Tuesday.

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BAD IDEA: Environmentalists, anti-cable-car groups and residents of Peitou once again voiced their opposition to the city's latest efforts to build a cable car system
By Mo Yan-chih
The Taipei City Government's latest bid to build a cable car system in the Peitou District has sparked an uproar from local residents and environmentalists, who have been fighting against the project for years.

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By Wang Hsiao-wen
In the lead-up to the World Health Organization meeting next month, the World Medical Association renewed its pledge to bolster Taiwan's ninth observer status bid, saying that it will propose a resolution on the floor of the forthcoming World Health Assembly in Geneva in support of Taiwan's observership.

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In response to comments made by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) in his speech at Peking University last Friday, several Taiwanese university students yesterday gathered in front of National Taiwan University's College of Law to demand that Lien not denigrate the school.

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A FINAL BOW: The actor Ni Min-jan was found dead in Ilan County yesterday, causing a frenzy of media speculation; police believe he committed suicide
By Rich Chang
Actor Ni Min-jan (倪敏然), famous for impersonating Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), was found dead yesterday afternoon. Police believe he committed suicide.

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Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) might reshuffle his Cabinet in June, Executive Yuan spokesman Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday.

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Two prominent Chinese dissidents exiled in the United States expressed disappointment Saturday at the meeting between the top leaders of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) due to their failure to talk about China's democratization.

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■ Weather
Plum rains to start
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