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Chen fended off pan-blue accusations in address

The president is chosen by the people and only has to respond to public opinion. When the president is engaged in dialogue with the public, the media should stay out of the matter.

The pan-blue camp gave 10 reasons for its campaign to recall President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁). They included Chen's inability to govern, Constitutional violations, chaotic administration, the nation's poor economic performance, making improper use of personnel, allegations against his immediate family and aides, manipulating financial reform, insincerity and corruption in policy implementation, presiding over diplomatic setbacks, provoking ethnic conflict and escalating cross-strait tensions.

In his televised response, Chen did not sidestep any of these issues. Rather, he defended himself by using hard facts and history to show that his accusers were applying stricter standards to him than for themselves.

Chen evoked memories of the Chiang family's dictatorship, for the period was not that long ago and still torments Taiwanese. Tailor-made for the Chiang regime and amended by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the Constitution is the source of the nation's chaos, he said. Using hard data and international ratings, he rebutted accusations that the nation is in an economic slump.

He responded to the allegations of corruption by reiterating that everyone is equal before the law and that crimes committed by his relatives or aides would not be covered up. Regarding the Sogo voucher scandal which has been a focus of breathless media attention but remains unsupported by fact, Chen said repeatedly that he would step down if his wife Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍) is found to have improperly received Sogo gift vouchers.

Chen dealt with the routine accusations against his aides by dealing with each and every one of them individually. He said that it is difficult to prevent one's staff from slipping up or sparking controversy, but that it is unethical and unfair to say that every such incident implies administration-wide corruption.

He also said that the smear campaign against Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝) is directed at Tu's strong Taiwan consciousness and that the appointments of Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Ling-san (林陵三), Vice Chairman of the Council for Economic Planning and Development Chang Ching-sen (張景森) and Minister of Finance Joseph Lyu (呂桔誠) were all based on their past performance.

In response to the accusation that Chen should be held responsible for undermining US-Taiwan relations, Chen asked the public to review the latest remarks made by American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt. He said that the true diplomatic setback occurred with Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) decision to withdraw from the UN, which eventually led to the severing of official ties with Washington. He also pointed out that during his term, Taiwan has successfully gained entry into the WTO and that even the prospect of joining the WHO is looking brighter.

Chen stressed that Beijing constantly suppresses Taiwan on the diplomatic front, regardless of the party of Taiwanese officials. For example, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) was not allowed to attend the World Capitals Forum in his capacity as Taipei Mayor and Legislative Speaker Wang Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) was prevented from participating in last November's APEC summit.

Chen can never compromise on clean governance and should candidly face any allegations and not seek to cover up any wrongdoing. He must do his level best to govern the nation, and when the nation faces difficulties, he must insist on Taiwan's view. If he does, he will enjoy public support.

Chen Gau-tzu is deputy director of the Northern Taiwan Society.

Translated by Daniel Cheng
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