China silent after shooting of Taiwanese leaders - do not report assasination attempt in their media

AP/TVBS | 3-19-04 | Joe McDonald/TVBS

[tallhappy]

This is unbelievable.

The election will proceed as scheduled tomorrow -- around 12 AM our time (PST) returns may start coming in.

Here is a link to their election returns website.

[Simmy2.5]

Don't want to unintentionally make Taiwan hate the China any more then they already have. Though I have a feeling, Chen WILL win. Just a feeling.

[tallhappy]

Change to:

Both President Chen Shui-bian and Vice-President Annette Lu were struck by bullets while campaigning together for tomorrow's presidential election in Tainan, Taiwan. Both are being treated at a hospital but their injuries are reported to NOT be life threatening.

Sorry for my stupid typo.

Can you change?

[tallhappy]

An image is captured from video showing images of an 11 centimeter graze bullet wound across the front of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's lower abdomen during a press briefing at the main hospital, Friday, March 19, 2004, in Tainan, Taiwan 300 kms (186 miles) south of Taipei. Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu were shot Friday while campaigning for this weekend's presidential election, but their injuries were not life-threatening, senior officials say. (AP Photo/ETToday/DongSan News)

[tallhappy]

A video grab shows blood (circled) coming from the wound on Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's stomach after he was shot during a motorcade during an election campaign trail in Tainan, southern Taiwan, March 19, 2004. Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette were shot on Friday but were conscious and not in critical condition, Chen's chief of staff, Chiou I-jen said.

[newzjunkey]

Botched assassination attempt if you only manage a stomach flesh wound and a knee.

Now, the *real* question... is this "copycat" following Spain's disaster leading into their elections or part of a larger pattern of terrorizing electorates of 2004? If it's the former, it's just plain sick and if the later, how did Putin escape any meddling? Who else is up for reelection? I think Howard of Australia is running this year. Isn't Blair due to call for elections?

[blanknoone]

I don't doubt this is Chi-com attempted manipulation, but I don't think it is in response to Spain. The commies are very slow and deliberate, I have no doubt that this has been in the works for at least many months, and likely since Chen was elected.

[USMMA_83]

India is having elections in April.

[Solamente]

The shooter got a diet pepsi and two pork buns.

[mdmathis6]

The shooter will end up shot himself for muffing it!

[steveegg]

Now, the *real* question... is this "copycat" following Spain's disaster leading into their elections or part of a larger pattern of terrorizing electorates of 2004?

It's beginning to look a lot like the latter. If it's the former, it's just plain sick and if the later, how did Putin escape any meddling?

First, Putin is ruthless in crushing dissent. Second, nobody with even a ghost of a chance ran against him (see item #1). Third, anything that happened got lost in the wider Chechen war.

Who else is up for reelection? I think Howard of Australia is running this year. Isn't Blair due to call for elections?

Howard is up sometime this year (the ruling party must call for elections no more than 3 years after the previous one, and the last one was in 2001). I believe Blair has another year before he has to call elections (similar system, different amount of time before the ruling party has to call for elections). I believe Poland is not up this year. The p-EU at large has EU-wide elections slated for later this year (but France and Germany are expected to dominate the voting with Zapatero acquiescing on the previous Spanish position that smaller EU nations have essentially equal footing with France/Germany).

[FReepaholic]

Holy cow! He's riding in an open car!!??

Did he not learn ANYTHING from the Kennedy assassination and the attempt on the Pope????

[Steel Wolf]

Any initial impressions as to the identity of the assailant(s) or the details of the attack itself? Do they have anyone in custody yet, etc? Just curious.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Way to go China. I hope they were able to cover up themselves as the source of this botches assassination or the current leader of China is libel to get whacked. Their media silence is deafening.

[Constantine XIII]

prayer bump!

[js1138]

Both are being treated at a hospital but their injuries are reported to be life threatening.

Read this sentence slowly and carefully.

[TBall]

"The shooter will end up shot himself for muffing it!" Maybe the shooter intended to graze. A warning shot perhaps?

[newgeezer]

Holy cow! He's riding in an open car!!?? Did he not learn ANYTHING from the Kennedy assassination and the attempt on the Pope????

Are guns outlawed in Taiwan? If so, perhaps he assumed there are none.

[trickyricky]

I hope he's re-elected.
I hope Taiwan has a referendum.
I hope they declare their independence from the commies.
I hope we support them militarily when they do.

[tallhappy]

Yes. Read number 3.