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Low Turnout Sinks Taiwan Referendum
Taiwan's first island-wide referendum, which asked whether the island should beef up defenses against China, failed to pass Saturday for lack of votes, the Central Election Commission said. The referendum focused on rival China's military threat and on possible talks with Beijing. Its failure was a blow to President Chen Shui-bian, who argued that a defeat for the referendum would be a victory for China. The two sides split amid civil war in 1949. Only 45 percent of eligible voters participated in the two ballot issues, the commission said. To be valid, the referendum needed at least 50 percent participation.
Posted by: Steve White 2004-03-20 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=28670 |