Taiwan's opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou resigned from his post as chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) on February 13, shortly after being accused of misusing a mayoral allowance.

The 56-year-old Ma, dubbed "Mr. Clean," was indicted for embezzling about 11 million Taiwan dollars ($333,000) given to him for discretionary outlays relating to his work during his tenure as Taipei mayor from 1998 to 2006. Ma denied the charges and said he had donated the money to charity organizations.

In addition to the decision to step down from the KMT chairmanship, Ma also declared that he would participate as a candidate in Taiwan's "presidential" election due in 2008.

Soon after Ma's decision, an emergency meeting of the KMT Central Standing Committee decided to amend the party's constitution to secure his candidacy. Previously the KMT Party barred any indicted member from running for office.

A Harvard-trained lawyer, Ma's personal charisma and "clean" records have made him one of Taiwan's most popular politicians and guaranteed him a successful political career. He has attracted a considerable following in Taiwan, particularly those in support of the pan-blue opposition parties. Elected chairman of the KMT in 2005, Ma had long been regarded as a frontrunner in the 2008 election, overwhelmingly leading any possible contenders from either the KMT or other parties, including the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

Two surveys conducted after Ma's proclamation to quit showed his popularity remained high despite the indictment. The poll by the United Daily News found that about 61 percent of the respondents of the 913 surveyed support his bid for the top regional leadership, while 66 percent believe he was innocent. In another taken by local TVBS station, Ma's approval rating was 45 percent, up 8 percentage points from a similar poll taken two weeks previously.

"I respect the law, but there is no way I can accept the accusation of embezzling special government funds. I will clear my name and change the anger into motivation for 2008 success."

Ma Ying-jeou, denying the corruption charges against him

"Despite the indictment against him, Ma [Ying-jeou] is still a popular political figure enjoying widespread public support. The KMT still stands a fairly good chance of winning the election if Ma is its candidate in the looming election."

Editorial of China Post, a local Taiwan newspaper

"The UK military presence will continue into 2008 for as long as we are wanted and have a job to do."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, announcing on February 21 a major troop withdrawal from Iraq despite a U.S. military buildup in the war-torn Middle East country

"The reform should match and complement the efforts for reconciliation, economic recovery, rule of law and human rights protection and vice versa."

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai, expounding China's stance on security sector reform at an open debate of the UN Security Council on February 20

"Justice demands that those who want to hold talks with us shut down their nuclear fuel cycle program too."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, challenging Western nations' requirement for Teheran to halt its uranium enrichment program in a speech on February 20

"The international community, for its part, must lend its support to Somalia's transitional federal institutions to turn this opportunity into a reality."

Britain's UN Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, saying after the UN Security Council voted unanimously on February 20 to authorize an African Union force to help stabilize Somalia

"We're aware that extremely distorted movements in the financial market, including the yen-carry trade, could eventually have a negative impact on the economy."

Japanese Central Banker Toshihiko Fukui, cautioning investors after the Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate to 0.5 percent on February 21

"It doesn't say we've gotten there. But it's taken it off the list from an impossible dream and converted it to something that is a (mere) technical barrier."