TAIWAN: Taiwan demonstrators demand Presiden Chen Shui-bian's resignation

Record ID: 215749

  • Title: TAIWAN: Taiwan demonstrators demand Presiden Chen Shui-bian's resignation
  • Date: 10th September 2007
  • Summary: (BN12) TAIPEI, TAIWAN (SEPTEMBER 9, 2007) (REUTERS) CORRUPTION RALLY LEADER SHIH MING-TEH STANDING IN FRONT OF A PODIUM CLOSE-UP VIEW OF THE TOP OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE CROWD CHANTING IN FRONT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE VARIOUS OF CROWD CHANTING AND WAVING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) RALLY LEADER SHIH MING-TEH SAYING: "I am telling everyone, including those who have doubts in me
  • Embargoed: 25th September 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADYLN0OL8Y712XQ6LN5OVE2Y1U
  • Story Text: Protesters demanding the resignation of Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian take over a Taipei street on the first anniversary of a major demonstration which lasted a month but failed in its objective.
    Thousands of protesters blocked a central Taipei street and displayed candles in the shape of the Chinese character for "fart"
    on Sunday (September 9) to demand that Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian step down over suspected corruption.
    The crowd gathered on the anniversary of a 2006 demonstration against the president that drew about 50,000 people on day one and lasted more than a month. Sunday's protesters said matters had worsened.
    The protesters blocked a boulevard in front of the president's office wearing red shirts and illuminated red devil horns while shouting for Chen to resign.
    Demonstrators used 30,000 candles to form the character for "fart," which also means reckless talking.
    In November last year, Chen's wife was indicted for corruption involving suspected misuse of T$14.8 million ($448,000) from a presidential office state affairs fund.
    Prosecutors have said they will also indict Chen once he has to quit the presidency next May, ending eight years in office and of immunity from charges.
    Protest organiser Shih Ming-teh, a 25-year political prisoner and former ruling Democratic Progressive Party chairman, shook Taiwan a year ago with the month of protests against Chen.
    Shih told Sunday's crowd they would be proud of themselves when Chen stood down.
    Chen has said he would resign if a lower court found his family guilty of corruption.
    Oner elderly demonstrator said: "Because the president is absolutely corrupt, absolutely low, and without a sense of shame, this is against Chinese traditional moral value, harming not only us, but generations to follow."
    Another man said: "The substance of democracy has been slandered, I think this has become a common consensus that we do not want this kind of government to rule Taiwan."
    A small counter-demonstration was staged and security guards dragged one man away.
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