Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said yesterday that Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), who is in charge of organizing the Double Ten National Day celebrations, must accept full responsibility if he insists that the festivities go ahead.
However, Kuan told a press conference yesterday that a diplomat from the nation's sole European ally told her that he would attend the festivities to reward the efforts of those who had organized them.
"The representative also said that `If anyone wants to insult your president during the national celebrations, all they will succeed in doing is insulting the country,'" Kuan said.
The Vatican is Taiwan's only European ally.
Kuan said that she and other DPP legislators had recently met with President Chen Shui-bian (
"The president just smiled and nodded without saying anything [in response,]" Kuan said.
Kuan said that Chen had not said whether or not he would attend the celebrations, but had attempted to boost the legislators' morale.
"The president said the situation [for the party] would improve in the future," she said. "[Chen] said that when right is distinguished from wrong, all this [hardship] will pass."
Chen has been advised by the National Security Bureau not to attend outdoor festivities during this year's Double Ten National Day celebrations, including the delivery of the National Day address, the Presidential Office said on Thursday.
However, the president has not yet decided whether he will follow the advice.
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