DISTURBED: While the White House has rejected the notion that it favors a particular candidate, some observers feel that opposition to the referendum has helped the KMT
By Charles Snyder
The three co-chairmen of the US Congressional Taiwan Caucus have urged US President George W. Bush to muzzle his foreign policy aides and prevent them from making further statements opposing the planned referendum on Taiwan's UN membership in the run-up to the presidential election on March 22.

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By Ko Shu-ling
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday accused his Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) rival Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) of dodging questions about the "cross-strait common market" policy.

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ACCUSATIONS: Caucus whip Alex Fai called the commission `shameful,' while the CEC chairman said he was too busy to have the results released
By Flora Wang
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday lashed out at Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Chang Cheng-hsiung (張政雄) over the commission's delay in publicizing the US' and Japan's responses to the commission's probe into whether the presidential candidates or their running mates have dual citizenship.

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By Angelica Oung
The creation of a "cross-strait common market" between Taiwan and China would negatively impact blue-collar and agricultural workers, while business owners would reap most of the benefit, pro-localization economists and labor leaders said yesterday at a forum.

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`WILD PAST': Before all the recent controversy, Ma Yi-nan was a popular figure in KMT campaigns and the most active family member in Ma Ying-jeou's political life
By Mo Yan-chih
Well-known for her active role in campaigning for her younger brother during elections, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) eldest sister, recently drew attention when her campaigning and personal history sparked controversy.

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LAWMAKER'S ALLEGATION: The EPA chief condemned KMT Legislator Fu Kun-chi for intimating that some ERC members reviewing a power plant proposal took bribes
By Meggie Lu
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) defended Environmental Review Committee (ERC) members yesterday amid allegations they had colluded with construction companies to approve proposals.

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By Shelley Shan
Traffic on two freeways will speed up on Sunday as the speed limit is increased on some sections, the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau said yesterday.

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By Rich Chang
Former independent legislator Tsai Hau (蔡豪), businessman Liang Po-hsun (梁柏薰) and five others were indicted yesterday on suspicion of helping a convicted banker flee to China last year.

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A glimmer of hope was brought to a 72-year-old Taiwanese ship captain serving a long prison term for murder after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday it had begun negotiations with Panamanian authorities to repatriate him on humanitarian grounds.

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PRE-ELECTION JITTERS: Lawmakers from the Chinese Nationalist Party were already looking past the polls on March 22 and asking for assurances of a smooth turnover
By Shih Hsiu-chuan
A Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmaker claimed yesterday that a professional hitman entered the country in September and might attempt to assassinate the presidential candidates.

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By Jenny W. Hsu
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) yesterday denied reports that the government was ready to give a green light to the expansion of the small three links.

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A scientist who won a scientific award from L'Oreal Taiwan decided not to attend an awards ceremony in Paris after plans for her trip were disrupted by political interference, sources said yesterday.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday denied knowledge of plans by Iran to explore the possibility of opening a representative office and branches of its banks in Taipei.

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