TMCnet News
6,000 security staff to turn out to protect Chen at DPP rally(China Post Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)The government will deploy over 6,000 security staff to protect President Chen Shui-bian today when he takes to the streets in Taipei with thousands of supporters to protest China's military threat, sources said yesterday. The demonstration takes place at a sensitive time on the eve of the second anniversary of the March 19 shooting that injured Chen and Vice President Annette Lu. Personnel from the police and military forces will total more than 6,000 for the protection of the head of state, the sources said. While some lawmakers inside the ruling Democratic Progressive Party have expressed objections to holding a march today, their allies from the Taiwan Solidarity Union have also criticized Chen's decision to take part in it. Legislator Luo Jhih-ming, who doubles as the TSU's secretary general, said it is a waste of security resources that should be deployed to maintain law and order where they are needed. "Isn't it time to step up efforts improving law and order?" Luo was cited as saying by the United Evening News in reference to Premier Su Tseng-chang's latest vow of a campaign to crack down on crime. "With President Chen taking to the streets, it needs 3,000 to 4,000 security agents (to protect him at the center of the demonstration), and there will be another 1,000 to 2,000 on the outskirts. Is it good to do so?" said Luo. Some veteran DPP lawmakers were also cited by the newspaper as questioning of Chen's decision to participate in the demonstration. DPP Legislator Lin Shou-shan said it is a DPP-organized event and only party members should be taking part. As the head of state, Chen should not be joining the march because of security reasons and worries that it might provoke the opposition camp, Lin argued. Neither should Premier Su Tseng-chang take part in the march, said Lin. The DPP march today will take place between 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Taipei. On Sunday, the opposition camp will hold a rally near the Presidential Office to mark the second anniversary of the March 19 shooting, which they believe cost their presidential campaign. Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou, his predecessor Lien Chan, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, and People First Party Chairman James Soong are expected to show up. The opposition has demanded the government renew a probe into the shooting after the family of the now deceased prime suspect Chen Yi-hsiung claimed that he was innocent. |