Taiwan is rightly famous for its fights in the main parliament (legislature). However, PFP legislators took things to a new level yesterday by taking to the streets of Taipei and storming President Chen Shui-bian’s official home:
Led by PFP whip Daniel Hwang, the legislators of the minor opposition party were able to enter the mansion after two unsuccessful attempts but failed to meet President Chen, who was receiving a guest at his office.
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More than 100 military policemen rushed to meet the placard-waving legislators, urging them to disperse.It is illegal to stage a demonstration without previous police approval, a guard chief told the lawmakers.
A small melee took place. Guards and lawmakers pushed and pulled against each other. No one suffered any injuries, however. The legislators left, shouting abuse against the president.
Despite the presence of 100 policemen, the legislators still managed to force their way in – after all, the legislators all have much more experience in hand-to-hand combat than any of the policemen.
They failed to find the President, and had to make do with his director of public relations:
“Why didn’t you come out to meet us at the front gate?” an irate lawmaker shouted at the public relations chief. “We’ll hold you in contempt of the Legislative Yuan,” Liu Wen-hsiung threatened.
Hmm … ‘in contempt of the Legislative Yuan’ for not joining in an illegal mini-riot? That’s an interesting concept.
In case any of you were wondering what the legislators were complaining about: It seems that President Chen accused James Soong of meeting an official from China over 8 months ago. Soong sued Chen over this claim several months ago, but the case hasn’t made it to the law courts yet. A trivial little spat between two people which is already being addressed is still enough of a reason for some legislators to riot. After all, they hadn’t had a good fight for a week now …
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After the assasination attempt on Chen by a pan-blue supporter last year, why in the hell were these idiots let into the residence in the first place? Did the police make them all take the boy scout oath not to misbehave? Jesus!
And contempt for the legislature? I’d say 80% of all Taiwanese have nothing but contempt for it…
“Despite the presence of 100 policemen, the legislators still managed to force their way in – after all, the legislators all have much more experience in hand-to-hand combat than any of the policemen.”
It’s funny because it’s true!
Er, it wasn’t Chen Shui-bian’s “home” — it was the “Presidential Office” (總統府) where the assholes from the PFP (“Party of False Prosecution”) were protesting. The China Post can’t form a logical thought, much less use proper English, so I’ll let you slide on that. 😉
As far as Liu Wen-hsiung is concerned, all one needs to say about him forevermore is “Mr. Bulldozer.”
Hmm … maybe you’re right. The China Post talked about the Presidential Mansion – which is just down the road. But I’m now wondering how you get 100 police officers in there :). So maybe it was the Presidential Office …