March 19, 2004
Taiwan President & VP SHOT Today (1 Day Before Taiwanese Presidential Election)!
Not dead. Read on.
"President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Hsiu-lien Lu were shot today at approximately 1:45 p.m. while campaigning in Tainan City. At a Presidential Office press conference, Secretary-General to the President Chiou I-jen said that the president was wounded in the belly and that the vice president was hit in the right knee. The injuries are not life-threatening, and both candidates are fully conscious. They were taken to Tainan's Cimei Hospital for treatment."
Source: Immediate press release from the Office of the President of the Republic of China
So far, no suspects have been identified. However, according to press, two different bullet shells were found at the scene. So potentially, this act was comitted by two or more people.
According to AM 1600 (a local Chinese radio station in LA), speculations of the motive behind this act have been divided into the following 6 categories:
- Act of opposing party
Obvious? - Act of China
China considers Chen a radical and opposes his believe in Taiwan independence. - Act of United States
Bush Administration want Taiwan to maintain status quo. Chen's recent proposal of popular referendum troubles the Bush Administration. - Act of party holding interest in Chen's winning
These non-fatal injury might gain more vote in this close election. Thus, giving interest to people who support the direction he's pushing Taiwan towards. - Act of Japan [This has to be confirmed, I didn't hear very well at that moment]
Japan's power in Asia is influenced by the Taiwan's status. I suppose, if Taiwan "reunifies" with China, ... well, just think of it like monopolies and anti-trust laws... - Act of Chen himself
Some people suspect this is all but an act to gain votes, since today is the day before the Taiwanese presidential election. Of the people who believe in this case, they questioned why the President and Vice president was taken to a smaller hospital at further location than the biggest closes one to the scene. In addition, people question why, if the motive was to kill him, would shoot him at the stomach as oppose to the upper part of the body. In addition, rumor has it that in the morning before the act was comitted, the hospital was notified in advance that "something big is going to happen today." Furthermore, a caller to AM 1600 pointed out that it's odd to not have strip President Chen naked for the wound inspection. (I have to add, they are both conscious, they probably know exactly where they were shot. So there's no need for such extra step.)
I may have presented more information on the 6th point, but that's because it was mentioned on the radio to clear up the rumors. It was also mentioned that the use of communication (text messaging, television, internet, and phone) will be a all-time high in the next two days.
Do not quote me on this. I'm may be completely wrong. Please go google research it yourself.
Once again, do not quote me!
Posted by david at March 19, 2004 11:01 AM