Editorial: Teach this `diplomat' a lesson

Taiwan's representative to Singapore Hu Wei-jen (胡為真) recently told Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao newspaper that he had resigned to become a visiting scholar at Harvard University because he disagreed with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration's campaign to "de-Sinify" Taiwan and remove symbols of dictator Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and his rule. Because he is a serving representative, Hu has been criticized, and deservedly so, for publicly attacking the government.

Put aside incredulity that an esteemed institution like Harvard might have room for someone who casually violates his responsibilities. The main problem is that Hu has failed his basic duty by placing personal opinion above the national interest. Not only does this violate professional ethics, it is also embarrassing for the government and damaging to Taiwan's interests.

Moreover, his behavior sets a poor example for other diplomatic officials. He should have resigned a lot earlier if his political ideals were so incompatible with those of the elected government.

Hu's claims about his employment also don't mesh with the facts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told him in April that he was to be moved. During that time the ministry considered sending former chief of the general staff Lee Tien-yu (李天羽), now minister of national defense, to be the representative to Singapore. But Singapore rejected him because of his military background. Hu's departure was therefore no voluntary resignation, nor was it related to any publicly expressed displeasure with government policy. Hu misled the foreign media on this.

Hu is the son of Army General Hu Tsung-nan (胡宗南), who fought for the Nationalists against the Japanese. Hu Wei-jen has been a KMT member for a long time, and the Hu family has close ties with the Chiang family. With this background, it's understandable that Hu does not agree with DPP government policies.

But the DPP has treated him well. After the party came to power in 2000, Hu was allowed to remain deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council, and later appointed Taiwan's representative to Germany before transferring to Singapore.

This seems to mean nothing to Hu Wei-jen, whose actions were a deliberate attempt to humiliate the DPP government and thereby curry favor with the KMT -- presumably to improve his chances of acquiring a post of influence for himself if the KMT wins next year's presidential election.

Hu Wei-jen's behavior constitutes a serious breach of protocol. The ministry should do more than just mumble about "regretting" the incident.

After Hu Wei-jen returns to Taiwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) must clear up the facts and give him an opportunity to explain himself to the ministry and the public. If he deliberately criticized the government, the ministry should mete out appropriate punishment. This would and should be a lesson to other representatives who might be harboring the idea that such behavior is acceptable.

The interests of the country are more important than those of any individual or party. Demeaning a government, a country and its people is a line that no one in the foreign service may cross.