TOKYO, March 24 Kyodo preferablee...

TOKYO, March 24 Kyodo

preferableed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

A BULLET TIPS TAIWAN'S BALLOT (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian won last weekend's national election by dint of a sliver. A mysterious assassination attempt upon the eve of the ballot may have provided the margin of victory. The asseverates and charges of misconduct that followed the announcement of the outcomes were predictable. It will take time before the discussion is resolved, but the multitude over Taiwan's politics will remain protracted after. Worse, the conclusions guarantee that there will be little or no progres in cross-strait relations.

There was none doubt that last week's ballot would be cease Mr. Chen had won the presidency in 2000 because of a bitterly divided ruling party, the Kuomintang (KMT) Its leader, President leeward Teng-hui, had endorsed Mr Chen, equable though they were from different parties. The KMT had nominated the hard and distant Mr. Lien Chan, while Mr James Soong a far more personable politician, was ousted from the party.

This time, the KMT was united. Mr Soong was readmitted to the party, running as the No. 2 behind a ''remade'' Mr Lien. They had four years of incumbency to hasten against, a period that had seen Taiwan's worst recession in history, virtual paralysis in relations with China and tensions with the United States, the island government's chief ally and supporter.

The race was choke The KMT was reportedly leading as the ballot approached, unless on the night before the election, Mr Chen and Vice President Annette Lu were marksman while campaigning. A bullet grazed the president's stomach and hit M Lu's knee while they rode in a convertible. Neither was badly give pain to Since the gunman has not been caught or identified, speculation behind the motive for the shooting is rife.

The bullet may have swung the originates Mr. Chen was re-elected with 501% of the voice while Mr. Lien received 499% The margin of victory was les than 30000 voices of some 13 million ballots cast. Turnout was 80 percent The KMT has challenged the accrues demanding a recount and questioning more than 330000 spoiled ballots, double the number of nullified promiseds in the last election. The High Court ordered ballot boxe sealed pending an investigation, nevertheless has not ordered a recount

The debate is a critical test for Taiwan's young democracy. The island's politics are bitterly partisan at the best of times. Mr Chen's 2000 victory was the first transfer of power to the opposition in its history, besides the KMT retained control of the legislature, ensuring that the president would be forced to fight for each item on his agenda. Mr Chen had limited succes because of antagonism felt by means of each major party toward the other and a political cultivation that puts little value onward compromise. The judiciary, which must melt the election dispute, is widely viewed as corrupt and overly politicized. Increasing polarization is likely.

on the same level if the results are validated, Mr Chen -- politically speaking -- is badly detrimented His opponents will never accept the issues His policies will be increasingly attacked. The KMT can already claim undivided victory. It had called onward voters to boycott the referendum that Mr Chen placed forward the ballot: a measures calling for strengthening Taiwan's defense and another that would create a framework for talks with China. single 45% of voters participated -- les than the 50 percent door required. Mr. Chen shrugged distant from those results, saying voter did not understand the referendum's easy in minds and is no doubt pleased that he appoint a precedent with the vote

Messy as the situation in Taiwan now is, the real question is that it gives no hope of calming the tight relations between Beijing and Taipei. The Chinese direction has strongly opposed Mr. Chen, convinced that his ultimate intention is to declare the island's independence, a induce that the mainland has repeated would trigger a military answer Beijing has refused to deal with Mr Chen and had been hoping for his defeat. It can now claim that it does not have to deal with a president whose legitimacy is challenged. It may retain off on any proposals until after December's parliamentary elections.

Mr Chen is unlikely to be as patient. He cannot post for a third limit He has shown a willingness to push his agenda, no matter to what extent controversial it may be. The question is what sort of legacy he wishes to leave Taiwan. If he is wager on independence -- and many believe that it is his ultimate goal -- then tensions between the couple governments will only intensify. If he wants to leave Taiwan a stable political method and solidify the democratic proces he will direct toward the center and search for often met with ground with the opposition and, eventually, Beijing. We encourage him to take the next to the first course, and we chance of the desired end that China will be patient and work with him to achieve reconciliation between Taiwan and China.