Letters: The KMT never repented

In his letter (Nov. 11, page 8) addressing a Taipei Times editorial, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Su Chi (蘇起) admitted that the KMT has an authoritarian past, but claimed that it has bid farewell to that tradition. The party loyalist's claim is merely spin.

The father and son dictators -- former presidents Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) -- together imposed martial law on Taiwan for nearly 40 years but are still viewed by the KMT as heroes. KMT heavyweights still pay homage to the two Chiangs by visiting their tombs every year.

KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) visited the tombs right after winning the chairmanship. Ironically, former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), who terminated the KMT's authoritarian tradition, was banished from the party by former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰). Apparently, Lien Chan and the KMT are more comfortable dealing with Beijing's dictators than the democratically elected president of Taiwan.

The dictators may be gone. But the KMT is still enjoying its looted assets and faces no repercussions whatsoever for the crimes it committed during its White Terror. The KMT's authoritarian rule may have ended, but they still cherish their authoritarian past. Their totems of power still stand high, their assets are still abundant and their crimes are still not subject to accountability.

The KMT never truly repented. They coddle Beijing's authoritarian regime and practice their "one China" war against Taiwan. With their "united front," all hell has broken loose. Can Taiwan survive this enduring authoritarian connection?