Half-Million Taiwanese Protest Election

Half-Million Taiwanese Protest Election
By STEPHAN GRAUWELS, Associated Press Writer

TAIPEI, Taiwan - A half million people swarmed into Taiwan's capital on Saturday to protest the disputed presidential election, while China hinted that the turmoil might provide a reason for it to take control of the island.

Demonstrators wore yellow rain ponchos in the cold drizzle and waved Taiwanese flags as they filled the wide boulevard outside the Presidential Office. They cheered and listened to fiery speeches that alleged President Chen Shui-bian rigged the March 20 vote.