DATE=3/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN / ELECTION (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259958
BYLINE=DERRICK MCELHERON
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: With Taiwan's presidential election less
than two weeks away, polls show the main
candidates in a virtual three-way tie. As Derrick
McElheron reports from Taipei, analysts believe
recent military threats from China may be
boosting the chances of the ruling party
candidate Lien Chen.
TEXT: Wednesday marks the start of the official
10-day ban on opinion polls until Election Day.
Final surveys show Vice President Lien Chen, main
opposition party candidate Chen Shui-bian and
independent James Soong running neck and neck.
But Tim Ding of the public opinion research firm
Gallup, Taiwan says the island's tense
relationship with Beijing could be the deciding
factor in the outcome of the election.
Last month Beijing issued a White Paper, a policy
statement, threatening to attack the island, if
it indefinitely postpones reunification talks
with Beijing. China considers Taiwan a renegade
providence and insists the island reunite with
the mainland.
Mr. Ding says in the current atmosphere, Vice
President Lien Chen, who advocates diplomatic
dialogue with Beijing, is becoming more
attractive to voters.
//DING ACT//
I think in the last 10 days, stability is a very
important factor. If stability means peace in the
Taiwan Strait or peace with China, Lien Chan will
get credit for that kind of effort. China's White
Paper threat is a plus for Lien Chan's campaign
and is a minus to D-P-P candidate Chen Shui-
bian's campaign.
//END ACT//
Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party
supports eventual independence from the mainland
and he is perceived by some to be a contentious
choice for president. On Monday, Beijing
apparently sought to reinforce that view, with a
scathing propaganda attack on Mr. Chen in the
leading Chinese military newspaper, the
Liberation Army Daily.
Despite the close race, another poll shows up to
fifty percent of Taiwanese voters believe Vice
President Lien Chan will win the election.
NEB/DM/GC/FC
08-Mar-2000 05:36 AM EDT (08-Mar-2000 1036 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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