DPP denies flipflop over Fourth Nuclear Power Plant via The China Post

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters has answered sharply to an allegation of flip-flopping over the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.

Earlier this week, a former Cabinet member said that opposition party Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) approved a NT$44.8 billion supplementary budget for the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in 2006, during his tenure as premier.

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Also yesterday, Ho announced that Su will bicycle through Gongliao District (貢寮區) today to protest work on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.

Su is to be joined by an estimated 200 party staffers along a 10-km route, on bikes bearing flags that read “No nuclear energy, no fear” (反核無懼).

The ride kicks off a series of party-endorsed protests, including a major anti-nuclear energy rally at the Presidential Office on Mar. 9. The Taipei protest extends into an overnight vigil and will be held concurrently with events in Taitung, Taichung and Kaohsiung.

Taiwanese film director Ko I-cheng (柯一正) publicly backed the Mar. 9 protest yesterday.

“This is an excellent opportunity that takes place on the eve of the Fukushima nuclear disaster’s second anniversary. It’s a chance to consolidate the public’s voice and tell the people who collect our taxes what we want,” said Ko.

Meanwhile, civic group “Mom Loves Taiwan” (媽媽監督核電廠聯盟) released an open letter to President Ma Ying-jeou that stressed the plant’s safety risks. “Please advise: Is it worth avoiding the late fees if you sacrifice billions of lives and Taiwan’s future?” the letter stated.

“Mom Loves Taiwan” founder Irene Chen (陳藹玲) urged Ma to “do some homework” on his own.

“Don’t just sit in your office listening to presentations and the opinions of experts,” said Chen, who is also director of the Fubon Cultural and Educational Foundation.