Letters

I am outraged by your editorial ("Lung Ying-tai must go," Jan. 24, page 8). Your accusation is based on my supposed statement that the "228 Incident" of Feb. 28, 1947 should be "celebrated."

The word I used was "remembered" (紀念), not "celebrated" (慶祝). The difference between the two words is obvious.

Why didn't your reporters do their homework and verify the accuracy of their source's information? Isn't double-checking of sources a basic requirement for responsible reporting?

Concerning the history of the 228 Incident, may I remind you that I spoke out 15 years ago on what was then a taboo subject under martial law, demanding that the government organize a special committee to study the Incident?

Lung Yingtai (龍應台)

Director, Bureau of Cultural Affairs Taipei City Government

Editor's reply:

In response to Ms Lung's letter, we would like to point out that our editorial relied on information from Taipei 228 Memorial Museum director Iap Phok-bun (葉博文). Mr Iap stands by his version of the events in question.

Antonio Chiang

Editor in Chief