Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Cherish this anti-nuclear opportunity

Taipei Times Editorial

Former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) recently spoke on the Diaoyutais dispute and also gave up her NT$270,000 year-end bonus in the wake of the controversy over year-end bonuses for retired government employees. Lu’s actions won praise for setting an example for civil-service retirees, and her assertions and knowledge regarding the disputed islands were clear and admirable. However, it could be her efforts on an anti-nuclear referendum in New Taipei City (新北市) that go down in history as her most important legacy.

The New Taipei City Council’s passage of the Act Governing New Taipei Referendums (新北市公民投票自治條例) on June 25, the first referendum law at the local level in Taiwan, made it possible for residents to have a say on local matters via referendums.

US senator asks AIT director to visit former president

Taipei Times

A US senator has asked Christopher Marut, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), to visit former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in jail or hospital.

Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, said in a letter sent this week to Marut that Chen is suffering from severe depression and is undergoing psychiatric treatment at Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

Ex-President Chen Shui-bian moved to ROC psychiatric unit amid calls for release

Michael Richardson

Chen Shui-bian, former President of the Republic of China in-exile, was transferred yesterday, Oct. 23, to a psychiatric unit at the government-operated Honorable Veterans Hospital. Chen was transferred after hospital doctors concurred that the ex-leader was suffering from severe depression. The hospital announced plans to return Chen to Taipei Prison after his depression is brought under control.

Chen Shui-bain is serving a 17 year sentence for alleged corruption following a controversial trial marred by allegations of perjured testimony, a politically-influenced judge, and an after-hours skit by courtroom personnel mocking Chen. Chen has been confined to a tiny cell 23 hours a day since 2008 in harsh conditions.

Third Self Immolation in Tibet in four days

Phuntsok Yangchen

Dorjee Rinchen (File photo)

DHARAMSHALA, October 23: News have just come in of another self immolation protest in Tibet. 3 Tibetans from Sangchu County have resorted to self immolation since Saturday to express their protest against China's policies and demand the release of the exile Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Dorjee Rinchen, 58, today set himself ablaze near the Chinese Army camp at 3:30 PM (local time) in Sangchu county where two others, Lhamo Kyab and Dhondup, had died after setting themselves ablaze on Saturday and Monday respectively.

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