Su announces plans to run for Taiwan's top post

Taiwan's "premier" Su Tseng-chang, the top figure in the pro-independence administration of Chen Shui-bian, announced yesterday he would seek his party's nomination for the 2008 "presidential" election.

In a televised speech from the coastal town of Tamshui, the 59-year-old Su appeared with family members and supporters to declare his candidacy.

Su, a former Taipei county magistrate and former secretary-general of the "presidential" office, was named "premier" 13 months ago.