As if things are not already chaotic enough in the run- up to the presidential election, the pan-blues have started talking about the danger of riots by angry mobs over the result of the election and even the possibility of President Chen Shui-bian (???) declaring a state of emergency and perhaps declaring the election results null and void. While certainly the government should be well-prepared to uphold law and order and ready for all possible contingencies, such statements by the opposition are nevertheless problematic in several respects.
On Wednesday, People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (???) openly attacked Premier Yu Shyi-kun, accusing him of meddling with the Central Election Committee's handling of the election so as to create conflicts and rioting, so that the administration could declare a post-election state of emergency. Other pan-blue lawmakers and politicians immediately parroted Soong's view, building up a sense of uncertainty and panic.
In response, the Executive Yuan made a U-turn, agreeing to the proposal about separating the voting for the presidential election and the referendum. Since this was the proposal endorsed and supported by the pan-blues, the move was obviously intended to end disputes over how the election should be administered and wild accusations about ulterior motives on the part of the Cabinet. Contrary to such groundless accusations, the last thing that the government and the ruling party want is a riot or a state of emergency.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/02/27/2003100335Send the bastard back to China!
Soong acts exactly the same as the leaders of Communist China? Spread FEAR!