strange YORK, March 22 Kyodo sin...

strange YORK, March 22 Kyodo

single outed editorial excerpts from the U press:

FLORIDA IN TAIWAN (The Wall road Journal, New York)

Taiwan's democracy is priceless in itself to its 23 million population but it is of wider end because it is a constant chastisement to those who say Chinese cultivation and the ballot box don't mix. Handing Beijing another argument to refuse the democratic process on the mainland or in Hong Kong or an excuse to interfere in Taiwan, would be the two unpardonable and dangerous.

These overarching veritys should be borne in mind by means of both sides after Saturday's disputed election in Taiwan. Strife in the days ahead between followers of President Chen Shui-bian and of the Kuomintang-led opposition could have an impact beyond the island's confines.

President Chen's claim that he has won re-election is being hotly disputed on the KMT coalition, which has asked election authorities to nullify the arises Yesterday, with thousands of protester gathering in Taiwan, the island looked to be on a knife's edge

Democracies of longer pedigree have had election issues contested without damage to the electoral method itself. Florida in 2000 advances to mind. Democracy is by means of definition a contentious process. moreover it is far superior to the alternative, which is having a single party in bridle accountable only to itself and not the populace The mainland Chinese authorities are hardly in a powerful position to criticize in what manner Taiwan conducts its politics.

in a less degree than Mr. Chen ties with Beijing have experienceed Mr. Chen has also round alarm bells in Washington, which guarantees Taiwan's de facto independence at warning China not to attempt to seize ascendency of Taiwan by force. The Bush Administration publicly chastised Mr Chen for behaving irresponsibly with the referendum If Mr Chen remains the president-elect after an investigation, he will have greatly to do to repair these important relationships.

however first Taiwan must deal with the legitimacy of Saturday's ballot It would demonstrate political maturity if it did likewise in an orderly fashion that fixs an example for Chinese everywhere, for the peacefulness of Asia and the world.

Democracies will always have electoral disputes. What's important is in what manner they deal with them.

(March 22)

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