Taiwan Leader Survives Bid to Recall Him

[Eugene]

Taiwan Leader Survives Bid to Recall Him

By WILLIAM FOREMAN
The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 27, 2006; 12:57 AM

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday survived an opposition-led
bid to recall him over allegations some of his relatives engaged in insider trading,
an issue that has hijacked his presidency in recent weeks.

Only 119 lawmakers in the 221-member Legislature voted for the recall measure _ far short
of the two-thirds majority _ or 148 ballots _ needed to pass the motion calling for a
referendum of Taiwanese voters on whether to oust Chen. The ruling party's 86 members
boycotted the vote.

Thousands of supporters with the ruling and opposition parties rallied outside the
Legislature, raising fears the two sides might clash. But hundreds of riot police kept
the crowds separated with metal barricades and barb wire.

Chen was the first president in Taiwan's history to have recall proceedings initiated
against him. The island directly elected its first president in 1996.

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Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/27/AR2006062700055.html