Taiwan's President, VP survive shooting

Associated Press

Taipei — President Chen Shui-bian and his vice-president were shot and slightly wounded Friday in an assassination attempt as they rode in an open vehicle while campaigning a day before an election that could be a turning point in Taiwan's tense relationship with China.

No arrests were reported and it was not clear who fired on Mr. Chen. The street in his hometown, the southern city of Tainan, was choked with supporters on the eve of the landmark election and a simultaneous referendum.

Hours later, Mr. Chen appeared on television in a videotaped message, looking stiff and tired. He reassured viewers about his health and Taiwan's security.

"There's no problem with A-bian," Mr. Chen said, referring to himself by his nickname, in his first comment since the shooting.

"There's no problem with Taiwan's safety. Please feel at ease," added Mr. Chen, who was seated and dressed in a sweater vest.

Some analysts predicted the attack could boost Mr. Chen's chances in what had been seen as a close vote. Mr. Chen has angered the Nationalist opposition and Beijing by championing a separate identity for Taiwan.

Some analysts predicted the attack could boost Mr. Chen's chances in what had been seen as a close vote. Mr. Chen has angered the Nationalist opposition and Beijing by championing a separate identity for Taiwan.

The 53-year-old leader -- the first Taiwanese president to be shot -- was grazed in the abdomen and Vice President Annette Lu, 59, was hit in the right knee. Neither injury was life-threatening, said Chiou I-jen, secretary-general in the Presidential Office.

“Security services are hunting for the culprit,” said Wang Jinn-wang, deputy chief of the National Security Bureau, adding that police had no suspects.
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this reeks of chinese involvement, motive wise. but a real assassin would get the job done right, i believe. possibly motivated by the spanish attack? who knows.