Atan, Raymond concede fight to their opponents

TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan on Saturday renamed the memorial hall for late Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek amid tightened security as protestors demonstrated against what they said was an attempt to erase his legacy.

The new plaque for the "National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall" was unveiled by President Chen Shui-bian, who said the move symbolised an end to the island's authoritarian past.

"Today we witness the re-naming of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall ... It symbolises a farewell to the old times and shows Taiwanese people's firm belief in freedom, democracy and human rights," Chen said in a ceremony.

"The blueprint for the memorial hall is a feudal mausoleum and it promotes idol worshipping. It is inappropriate to (worship) a dictator who suppressed human rights," he said. "Only authoritative countries have such memorial halls."

Meanwhile, hundreds of Chiang supporters demonstrated outside the landmark despite the rain as some 700 police were deployed and barbed wire barricades erected.

Scattered brawls were reported since the morning as television footage showed a Chen supporter and several protestors hitting each other with umbrellas before police intervened.