HONG KONG -- Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has encountered unexpected setbacks in recent weeks that have slowed down his re-election campaign even though, at this point, the race between him and Kuomintang chairman Lien Chan is still neck and neck.
Chen’s setbacks have been both domestic and international. Domestically, three distinguished Taiwan citizens -- including Nobel laureate Lee Yuan-tseh -- issued a joint declaration calling on the two presidential candidates to focus on issues and stop their mudslinging.
It is notable that Lee, whose last-minute endorsement of Chen four years ago is widely believed to have helped him win the presidency, is now clearly unhappy with the president.
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