Statement by Premier Yu Shyi-kun at a press conference following the meeting to discuss mass gatherings and social stability in the aftermath of the election

1.Although the election was concluded yesterday, it did not bring calm to Taiwan. The Lien-Soong camp's proposed lawsuits to declare the election invalid and to void the election result fermented protests and even violent incidents around the country, and led to great civil disorder last night. In regard to the government's maintenance of social order this morning, as Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien has already explained to you, with the exception of Taipei, the conflicts elsewhere have been somewhat resolved.

2.(An explanation of Premier Yu's emergency responses last night.)

3.It is the right of the Lien-Soong camp to seek judicial process and to raise their suspicions regarding the outcome of the election, and we will respect that. Seeking legal resolution and inciting public protests are two very different things, however. In fact, it is the judiciary that should handle this dispute. Now that the Taiwan High Court has decided to seize and seal the ballot boxes, all doubts should have disappeared. Demands from the crowds that the government issues a response to these suspicions are, therefore, to aim at the wrong target and to adopt the wrong means.

4.I am aware that a demand such as this is due to the suspicions of a so-called "unfair election." I would like to remind everyone, however, that the election is administered by an independent agency, the Central Election Commission (CEC), and carried out jointly by the cities and counties of Taiwan, of which 11 are pan-green and 14 are pan-blue. The protests of last night took place in both pan-blue and pan-green administered cities and counties. As for the doubts concerning the excessive number of invalid ballots, in addition to the possible influence of the One Million Invalid Ballot Alliance, another possible factor might be found in the amendment by the Legislative Yuan last year of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act which, under the consensus of both ruling and opposition parties, introduced strict regulation of the approval of valid votes.

5.I sympathize with the disappointment felt by supporters for the failure of their candidates. Each of us has experienced such emotions during the many years of Taiwan's democratic governance. Such disappointment should be tempered by a belief in democracy, however, and a single election is not worth the sacrifice of Taiwan's international image.

6.Some people from business and industry have been represented in today's media as saying they are not happy to see such a turn of events, worrying that investor confidence in Taiwan might suffer. I believe that all political parties share responsibility for Taiwan's economic development and investment environment, and we hope that Taiwan's development will proceed smoothly.

7.I would like to remind everyone of an issue of concern to society at large. Random gatherings and unplanned mass protests can easily lead to explosive situations, or bring about regrettable consequences. At this time, leaders must emphasize caution and practice restraint. I respect Mr. Lien Chan very much, and believe that as a leader he will work to maintain stability. I sincerely hope that he is able to lead his supporters in the right direction.

8.I would like to share a quote from Lien's own words to the friends of the pan-blue camp. "This nation's hatred should stop here." I hope the whole populace can treasure peace, unite together, and allow all matters to be dealt with according to legal provisions and judicial process, so that the conflicts may be resolved and disappear.