<B>TAIWAN?S</B> opposition, shifting focus from demands for a presidential poll recount, warned of protests for the next four years if an inquiry was not held into an assassination attempt on President Chen Shui-bian.

Chen, meanwhile, appeared to be trying to put the domestic political crisis to one side. In an interview published yesterday, he urged the United States to take a ?more active, constructive? role in facilitating dialogue between the island and arch-foe China.

The opposition Nationalist Party has filed a lawsuit urging a recount in the March 20 election, which the president won by a razor-thin margin, and Chen has said he will not stand in the way. High Court judges are to hear the case on Friday and rule when, and whether, to have a recount.

But the opposition also said an election eve assassination attempt on Chen created a sympathy wave for the incumbent and was responsible for his 30,000-vote victory out of 13 million cast. Chen and Vice President Annette Lu suffered minor gunshot wounds in the incident and police say they have no suspects so far.

?We sincerely urge President Chen not to underestimate the people?s will and misjudge the situation,? Lin Feng-cheng, secretary general of the Nationalist Party, told reporters.

?If our appeal fails to get a positive response, President Chen and his ruling party must take full responsibility for any consequences,? Lin said.

The opposition has called for Chen to endorse special legislation allowing an independent inquiry into the shooting, but Chen?s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rejected it saying such a move would violate the constitution.

Half a million people led by losing Nationalist candidate Lien Chan besieged the presidential palace in Taiwan?s biggest political protest on March 27 to dispute the vote outcome.

Another rally, with 50,000 supporters, was planned for as early as Saturday, Lin said. ?If doubts cannot be cleared, there will be endless protests over the next four years,? he said.

The DPP called the opposition?s protest plans irresponsible and will hold a rally of its own on April 10 to thank supporters.

<B>Blank ballots</B>

Amid accusations of irregularities, prosecutors questioned an election official in Taipei County who took home 95 blank ballots after the polls but did not return them until Wednesday.

?This incident only leads people to believe this election was under a cloud of suspicion,? Nationalist spokesman Justin Chou said. The opposition plans to file a separate lawsuit seeking to nullify the election that could lead to a new vote soon.

In a interview with the Asian Wall Street Journal, Chen made clear he did not intend to back down from his stance that Taiwan and China were separate entities or to ease off on policy proposals to which Beijing objects. But Chen sought to reassure Washington he would not draw it into a conflict with China.

?We hope the U.S. can play a more active, constructive role... (and) be a peace bridge, helping facilitate cross-strait contact, dialogue and consultation. It could be a peace angel,? Chen said.

Despite growing economic ties between China and the United States, Washington remains Taiwan?s biggest arms supplier and one of its closest allies and trade partners.

China had asked Washington to rein in Chen, who ignored warnings and went ahead with a landmark referendum which failed, to Beijing?s relief. Analysts said China does not trust and is unlikely to deal with Chen.

Beijing and Taipei have been bitter rivals since their split at the end of a civil war in 1949, but trade, investment and tourism have blossomed since detente in the late 1980s.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province that must be returned to the fold and has threatened to attack the self-ruled democratic island if it declares formal independence.

On Wednesday, the Pentagon offered to sell Taiwan long-range early warning radar equipment worth as much as $1.78 billion, a deal five years in the works but bound to anger China.

<B>Alice Hung</B>