TAIWAN: At least 100,000 protesters demanding Taiwan's scandal-plagued President Chen Shui-bian resign staged a rally after ending a week-long sit-in outside his office

Tens of thousands of opposition activists pressing embattled Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian to resign said on Friday (September 15) that they planned more protests in the capital after ending a week-long sit-in outside his office. The round-the-clock demonstration against Chen was due to end with a candlelight vigil in downtown Taipei, but protest organisers said they will regroup at the main railway station on Saturday to keep up the pressure on the scandal-plagued president. Chen, who activists accused of corruption amid economic problems affecting the nation, has said that he would not step down because of the demonstrations. "I feel so excited because people in Taiwan now have realized the truth of his corruption. A Bian, step down!" said Soong Dao-bao, a Taipei taxi driver who has been at the anti-Chen sit-in for the past 7 days. Crowds opposed to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian began gathering in central Taipei since Saturday in response to calls for a huge week long demonstration aimed at unseating the scandal-plagued leader. "Chen has eaten up all our money. He should step down right now. That's all our hard-earned money! Step Down, A-bian," said Wu, Ying-yang, who used to be a Chen supporter. Taiwan's financial markets have come under pressure this week in the run-up to the protest, which is organised by the "Million Person Depose Bian" movement led by Shih Ming-teh, former chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Organisers said the mass protest, which was expected to continue until President Chen step down, was triggered by public frustration over a series of scandals involving Chen's family and officials in his administration. Chen and his wife have been questioned over the use of the presidential office's state affairs budget, while son in-law Chao Chien-ming has been charged with insider training. Several high-level officials have also stepped down prematurely this year due to a series of corruption scandals. Demonstration organisers planned to have more than 500 marshals on hand over the coming week to help prevent or control any violence, a campaign staffer said. Local media said 20,000 police would be on duty. Chen, elected in 2000 and 2004, has rejected allegations of corruption involving his family and aides.

ITN Source | September 17, 2006

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