Declaring that his Democratic Progressive Party (DDP) ticket could best ?resist pressure,? President Chen Shui-bian urged voters to demonstrate their belief in Taiwan and support for reform by giving him a second term, while Kuomintang (KMT) chairman and pan-blue presidential hopeful Lien Chan charged Chen with ?ideological? rule. The March presidential election is expected to be a very important turning point in the history of Taiwan

Taiwan?s first-ever presidential debate was organized by the Public Television Service, the Taipei Society and several newspapers and broadcast on 11 other television and five radio stations yesterday afternoon..

After issuing eight-minute opening statements, the two candidates faced questions from five scholars and social activists, fired five questions at each other and issued concluding statements.

In his opening statement, President Chen emphasized his responsibility as national leader for Taiwan, its 23 million people and their following generations.

?To believe in Taiwan, fight for the economy and persist in major reforms so Taiwan becomes a normal, complete, great and beautiful country is also my responsibility,? Chen said.

The president stated that five decades of KMT rule before the first transition of power to the DPP in May 2000 was characterized by ?rampant corruption? of ?black and gold? money politics, monopoly of political life by the fused KMT party-state, and an unfair judicial system that had ?undermined the foundations of the nation.?

Chen asked voters to consider whether, without the transition in political power, the military would have become politically neutral and slush funds in the National Security Bureau would have been exposed.

Without the change, Chen argued, a number of financial fugitives, including ex-Tuntex chairman Chen You-hau, might still be at the side of Lien and his running mate People First Party Chairman James Soong.

Chen proclaimed that ?persisting in reform is our firm belief,? but said that ?some people make a habit of only talking about reform, but doing something else entirely.?

The president cited the obstruction of DPP reform proposals in the opposition controlled Legislative Yuan, including a draft bill to bolster the official financial reconstruction fund, halve the 225-seat Legislature and regulate political campaign funds or deal with the assets ?improperly acquired? by the KMT during Taiwan?s authoritarian period.

?How can we improve the economy by opposing these reforms?? asked the president, who reaffirmed his ?confidence in Taiwan? and called on voters to support his re-election, adding that ?we have beliefs, proposals and are the most resistant to pressure.?

In his opening statement, Lien said the March 20 election did not just concern the choice of a president but the selection of ?an attitude.?

Lien declared that Chen?s administration had caused Taiwan to fall behind in internationalization and liberalization due to its ?complete lack of considering national problems from a macrohistorical angle? and instead ruling on the basis of ?ideological? and ?electoral? considerations.

Besides criticizing the DPP administration for ?incompetence, disrespect of expertise and violations of law,? the former vice president and ex-premier said Taiwan needed a ?clean, efficient and competent? administration to face intensifying global competition.

Dennis Engbarth

Taiwan News