Shot Taiwanese leader accepts recount

LOOKING weak just days after he was shot, Taiwan's leader appeared in public yesterday for the first time since his disputed re-election victory and called for a recount which he promised to accept "100%".

As President Chen Shui-bian gave a televised address, the shouts and chants of thousands of protesters could be heard in the background.

The crowd has been camping out in front of the Presidential Office since Saturday's tight vote, demanding a recount.

"I won't object to a full-scale recount to help us find out the truth," Chen said as he urged the protesters to go home.

Chen's challenger, Lien Chan, insists the election was marred by numerous irregularities, though he has provided little evidence.

Lien has also suggested the mysterious shooting that slightly wounded Chen one day before the voting may have been staged to gain sympathy votes.

The president, who campaigned on a platform of standing up to rival China, won the vote with only 50.1% of the ballots, while challenger Lien, who pushed a more conciliatory approach toward mainland leaders, got 49.9%.

The election also involved Taiwan's first nationwide referendum: focusing on China's military threat and possible peace talks with Beijing. The referendum, spearheaded by Chen, failed because more than half the voters joined an opposition-led voting boycott.

Chen said he resented the election fraud allegations but wanted officials to quickly do a recount to address all doubts.

Taiwan's courts have said it could take up to six months to respond to Lien's demand for a recount and his separate attempt to nullify the election, meaning no immediate resolution of the crisis is likely.