Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Groups planning independence march

Taipei Times

In the face of the administration’s elaborate plans to celebrate the Republic of China’s (ROC) centennial, a pro-independence group yesterday said it was teaming up with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to hold a march on Sept. 8 to reaffirm Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Former Examination Yuan president Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文), who heads the Taiwan Nation Alliance, said at least three major events would be held this year.

Chen won’t be charged over ‘secrets’

Taipei Times

Taipei prosecutors announced yesterday they would not indict former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) over charges that he leaked national secrets by disclosing details about the Presidential Office’s underground tunnel.

Since such information had previously been made public by a former security chief, it was no longer considered a national secret, prosecutors said.

Gates reiterates US’ Taiwan policy

Taipei Times

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that following his substantive meetings in Beijing this week, which included talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), he did not anticipate any change in US policies toward Taiwan.

At a roundtable meeting with US reporters in Beijing, Gates said he was completing a “very positive visit” that had been “superior to any previous visit that I have had here in China.”

Chen’s fate needs to be determined by doctors

Chen Yao-chang 陳耀昌

About two weeks ago there were reports that former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), currently serving a prison sentence, was feeling some discomfort in his chest and suffering from shortness of breath. He was diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure by the prison doctor, and was later said to be experiencing severe headaches. Chen’s family and lawyers subsequently applied for a temporary prison release to arrange further medical examinations.

However, the warden of Taipei Prison said Chen’s illness was “not as serious as expected,” implying that a “medical parole” was unnecessary.

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