DATE=10/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN - PRESIDENT (L-O)
NUMBER=2-254665
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Taiwan's president is defending his government
from criticism it did not do enough in response to the
earthquake that rattled the island late last month and
killed more than two-thousand people. V-O-A's
Stephanie Ho reports the president made his first
public comments about earthquake relief efforts
Tuesday in Taipei.
TEXT: Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui lavished
praise on the military, for its quick and efficient
response to the powerful earthquake that struck the
island September 21st.
He said some quake survivors may have their own
complaints and he acknowledged the Taiwan government
has not done a perfect job. But he said overall he is
quite pleased with the government's efforts --
especially when compared with other countries that
dealt with similar disasters.
President Lee also used the news conference to again
accuse the media of sowing dissent.
// LEE CHINESE ACT - IN FULL, FADE OUT //
Mr. Lee says although Taiwan is democratic, that does
not mean reporters are free to write anything they
want to. He says journalists should have reported the
facts first, and saved their criticisms for later.
Days after the earthquake occurred, media reports
accused the government of not doing a better job
coordinating relief efforts.
The way the President's ruling Kuomintang party -- the
K-M-T -- handles post-quake reconstruction efforts is
seen as a key issue in the presidential election next
March.
The K-M-T candidate, Vice-President Lien Chan, has
been put in charge of a government task force involved
in formulating and implementing relief measures.
Analysts say this will give Mr. Lien huge media
exposure, but he will also bear the blame for major
glitches or broken promises.
So far, though, the spotlight is having a positive
effect on Mr. Lien's election chances. Various
opinion polls taken recently show him moving up
slightly in popularity -- but still far behind the
leading candidate -- independent James Soong.
Meanwhile, rescuers are still finding bodies amidst
the rubble in the central part of the island.
Thousands of survivors living in tents now have to
deal with mud caused by heavy rains -- which have
caused landslides and are hampering efforts to restore
power to the entire island. (SIGNED)
NEB/HO/LTD/RAE
05-Oct-1999 11:13 AM LOC (05-Oct-1999 1513 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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