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Taiwan's Chen survives vote

Posted on: Tuesday, 27 June 2006, 00:44 CDT

By Benjamin Kang Lim

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Scandal-plagued Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian offered to mend fences with China and the island's opposition on Tuesday after surviving an unprecedented parliamentary vote aimed at unseating him.

Thousands of Chen supporters and opponents protested outside parliament, but were separated by barbed-wire barricades. No clashes were reported. Up to 5,000 policemen were mobilized to maintain order.

As expected the main opposition Nationalist Party and the splinter People First Party lacked the necessary two-thirds majority to authorize a referendum on whether to sack Chen.

Amid tight security, a total of 119 deputies voted to refer Chen's fate to the electorate, while 14 cast null ballots, meaning that the motion fell short of the 148 votes needed to pass, parliamentary speaker Wang Jin-pyng said.

The parliamentary vote had no direct bearing on relations with China, which claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan.

Chen, who has been a thorn in Beijing's side, extended an olive branch to China.

"The president ... hopes to push for political consultations internally and cross-Strait peace talks externally," the presidential office said in a statement.

But analysts say Chen's worst political crisis since 2000 may further weaken his chances of reconciling with China during his remaining two years in office.

Chen also urged the opposition to be rational and pass legislation having to do with the people's livelihood.

The president said he had faith in the judiciary, and respected investigations into the scandals.

Chen's son-in-law was detained in May on suspicion of insider trading. The scandal has pummeled Chen's approval rating, stoked political uncertainty and battered Taiwan's stock market and currency.

Chen's wife has been accused of accepting millions of Taiwan dollars' worth of department store gift certificates.

Both have denied wrongdoing.

Opposition deputies shouted anti-Chen slogans and unfurled a banner in the chamber reading "Backing Bian is really shameful," using Chen's nickname.

"Externally, he cannot represent the country. Internally, he cannot lead the people because he has lost the trust and respect of the people," Nationalist chairman and likely presidential contender Ma Ying-jeou told a cheering crowd outside.

Lawmakers from Chen's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) boycotted the vote.

"The recall (vote) is not necessary and lacks legitimacy," DPP legislator Ray Hong told Reuters.

DPP parliamentary whip Ker Chien-ming said: "We hope ruling and opposition parties can enter into dialogue after this.

In a split with the DPP, deputies from former president Lee Teng-hui's Taiwan Solidarity Union party, which has usually sided with Chen, cast null ballots.

The Nationalists have gathered 1.67 million signatures urging Chen to resign. Taiwan has a population of about 23 million.

(Additional reporting by Loh Liang Sa, Judy Lin and Lee Chyen Yee)

Source: REUTERS

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