Up until a few days ago, our buddy GDubya held the record for the biggest cliffhanger election result in history. On the weekend Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian easily accounted for GDubya Florida margin, winning by a wafer-thin 0.2 per cent.

President Chen is lucky to be in the winner's circle at all. On the eve of polling day, an assassination attempt resulted in bullet wounds for both Chen and his Vice President.

Therefore on the Taiwanese domestic front, confusion reigns supreme. Add to this a sore loser: Nationalist candidate Lien Chan.

Chan has complained that the assassination attempt on Mr Chen resulted in a negative impact on his performance at the ballot box. Why not just come out and say it Mr Chan (A.K.A. Jack! A.K.A. Jackie!) You're wishing the assassin had've done his job properly, eh?

And what are 'spoiled votes' anyway? On the back of these factors, Chan has demanded the result be declared invalid and called for a recount.

Meanwhile, President Chen has asked his Democratic Progressive Party to submit a proposal to change the law to allow ballots to be tallied again if a margin of victory is less than 1 per cent as a row over the result stretched into a third day.

On the international front China, Australia and the good 'ol Stars an' Stripes are watching on nervously.

The problem for all three regional heavy weights is the small problem of freedom. Yep - unfortunately pesky little Taiwan still wants to secede from China. Has done since the '49 revolution. Chan, the assassin's target, wants to lead Taiwan to sovereignty.

The interesting thing is that as much as GDubya loves freedom and hates 'The Axis of Evil' with a mighty passion; he just can't afford to back Taiwan.

A little known fact in America is that Australian Prime Minister John Howard hosted visits by President George Bush and Chinese President Hu on consecutive days in October 2003.

Why is this so significant?

Behind the scenes during 2003, President Hu played a big role in assuaging South Korea's rather nervy display in a game of atomic 'chicken'. With the blessing of the US, Hu managed to pull the perfect three point diplomatic turn and come out the other side as a strategic and valued partner of America.

China 1 - USA 0.

Gdubya can't help the Taiwanese. He cannot afford to. Privately he prays for maintenance of the status quo.

The word 'freedom' sure gets bandied about a lot these days, pilgrims. Unfortunately for the determined Taiwanese, it is unlikely to mean the same thing as it does in Iraq. Or America for that matter.

For some time to come.

LINKS:

Taiwan heads for election recount

Will Taiwan now become a flashpoint for war?

Bush, Hu begin historic visits

Bush warns Taiwan against separation

Editorial: Bush defeats Gore, or so we thought