Lee leaps to defense of Chen's son

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday said it was unfair for politicians to criticize the nation's first son, Chen Chih-chung (陳致中), who recently started his compulsory military service.

Lee noted that many sons of high-ranking government officials have skipped military service altogether -- either by exploiting legal loopholes or using their father's powerful connections.

Last week, a Taipei city councilor alleged that President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) son enjoys his own room and other special perks at boot camp -- a charge the military denies.

"Some politicians have made a fuss by saying President Chen's son has been given special treatment in the army," Lee said yesterday at a gathering for the establishment of the Friends of Lee Teng-hui Association.

"In the past, many sons of high-profile politicians have avoided army training [because their fathers abused their power] to have related laws amended," Lee said.

For example, men who are overweight or have poor vision are exempt from military service. The thresholds to qualify for an exemption in the past have been adjusted so that the sons of some politicians may avoid service.

Chen Chih-chung started his two years of military service on Oct 15.

Three days later, Taipei New Party City Councilor Lee Ching-yuan (李慶元) alleged that Chen was given his own room and special attention from his superiors.

An army official at Chen's base was quick to counter the allegations, showing reporters Chen's bunk in a room that he shares with 161 other recruits. He also denied that Chen was under the special care of senior officers.

According to law, Taiwanese men are obligated to serve 22 months in the military.

But many sons of KMT heavyweight officials have avoided fulfilling their national duty.

Neither of the two sons of KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) have served.

The older was exempt from for being overweight, while the other one had poor vision.

One of the sons of former Control Yuan president Chen Li-an (陳履安) avoided military service because a special law was passed to allow him to study abroad after he graduated from high school.

The law was reinstated a couple years after the revision.

In addition to coming to the defense of the president's son, Lee yesterday continued his attack on Lien, his former protege.

Lee said Lien, a doctorate in political science, had ignored his advice to accept defeat calmly and lacked the spirit of democracy.

Commenting on Taiwan's forced absence from the APEC leaders' summit this weekend, Lee said he absolutely endorsed the government's stance. "It was a chance for the public to see the reality that China is a bully," Lee said.

The Friends of Lee Teng-hui Association was formally launched yesterday by the former president's long-time friends, including pro-independence business leaders Tsai Kun-tsan (蔡焜燦) and Peng Ren-tzu (彭榮次).

Also on hand were supporters from the World United Formosans for Independence and Taiwan Independence Party.