Taiwan president red-carded

Organisers said more than 10,000 people turned up for the rally on the third consecutive weekend when the opposition has held a demonstration. A police estimate was not immediately available.

Several demonstrators kicked a soccer ball to knock down posters of Chen and his family. Opposition leader James Soong of the minor People First Party told the crowd, using Chen’s nickname, ‘‘We can’t take it anymore. We want to recall A-bian.’’ Chen has not been linked to the alleged corruption involving his family.

‘‘If we allow A-bian to continue his corruption, there will be no future for Taiwan,’’ Soong said. ‘‘We need to have high moral standards and courage to fight corruption.’’

Another opposition leader, Ma Ying-jeou of the Nationalist Party, said, ‘‘We see Chen and his family and people don’t know how to teach their children. So for our grandchildren, we have to launch this recall motion and force Chen to step down.’’ Ma said 6,00,000 people have signed a petition to recall Chen. The island’s population is 23 million.

Hundreds of police in riot gear stood guard. Last week, some Chen supporters phoned in assassination threats against Ma to illegal underground radio stations.

A few blocks away from the rally, dozens of Chen supporters held a separate rally accusing the Opposition of causing unrest. They cast darts or threw water balls at images of Ma, who is expected to run for president in 2008.

The political turmoil was sparked by allegations that Chen’s son-in-law, Chao Chien-min, was involved in insider trading. Chao was arrested on May 24 and the probe continues.

Prosecutors are also investigating whether Chen’s wife, Wu Shu-chen, was involved in illegal financial dealings linked to a department store. The Presidential Office has denied the allegations. The Opposition is hoping to pass a motion on June 27 setting up a public referendum to recall Chen. The Opposition— which holds a slim majority—will not be able to muster up the two-thirds majority it needs to approve the measure.