Defense minister says treason can't be tolerated

Commenting for the first time in public on the case of defector Justin Lin (林毅夫), Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming (湯曜明) said yesterday that the armed forces could not tolerate treason and defection.

He added, however, that, "The issues of criminal liability and human rights should be handled separately from each other."

Tang also stressed that as the Minister of National Defense, he had no power to interfere with military justice, but that the ministry's military justice department would deal with the matter in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, Political Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior Hsu Ing-shen said yesterday that the government was satisfied that Justin Lin is the man formerly known as Lin Cheng-yi (林正義), a Taiwanese army commander who is widely believed to have defected to China in 1979.

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) said yesterday that he supports the defense ministry's opening of an investigation into Lin's case.

"I hope that the government sticks to its position. This is important. The government must ensure that justice is done," he said.

PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), however, said that the government's decision Friday to allows Lin to return overlooked the fact that "China is aiming missiles at Taiwan."

Whether Lin will face prosecution -- a matter for the military justice department's investigation -- remains to be determined. The department has refused to comment as to when it will make a decision on the matter.

Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Lin's family had placed his father's body in its coffin though it was not confirmed whether the coffin had been sealed. Lin told a Taiwan TV station on Friday night in Beijing that he hoped to see his father's face one more time.

The government has agreed to allow Lin to enter the country. Lin said he would decide before tomorrow whether to do so. His father's funeral is Tuesday.

Lin's older brother, Lin Wan-sung (林旺松), said yesterday that the military should announce whether it intends to prosecute his brother before he makes his decision.

Lin Wan-sung made the comments at a press conference in Ilan, the family's hometown.

He also said that any charges of defection or treason against Lin would be unfounded.

"He did not take any battle plan with him. He just wanted to study in China," he said.

The family also said yesterday that it will return the NT$475,000 in compensation it received from the military in 1979 after Lin Cheng-yi was listed as missing.

Lin's wife, Chen Yun-ing (陳雲英), is expected to arrive in Taiwan today, and will represent him at his father's funeral if he decides not to return. Lin, now a distinguished scholar in China, applied last week for permission to come to Taiwan for his father's funeral and the Taiwan government granted him permission on Friday evening.