Members of the Hand-in-Hand Taiwan Alliance yesterday lodged a protest in front of the opposition People First Party's (PFP) headquarters in Taipei, demanding an apology from party chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) for supposedly hindering Scottish actor Sean Connery from coming to Taiwan and taking part in the alliance's rally.
The protest was in response to PFP spokesman Hwang Yih-jiau's (黃義交) statement on Saturday that the award-winning actor's decision not to take part in the rally was a result of advice by the PFP. Connery's agent, however, said on Friday that the award-winning actor and Scottish-independence activist never intended to join the rally.
However, this statement from the actor's official representative appears to have had little impact on the growing controversy over his non-visit.
PHOTO: AFP
"[The rally] has nothing to do with politics but is just a happy linking-of-hands event in Taiwan," said Peter Wang (
"Yet [Soong] came out to meddle in the event and make it a blooper in the eyes of the international community. James Soong should come forth and apologize to the people of Taiwan, and he should apologize to Sean Connery as well," Wang said.
Connery -- famous for his role as the original James Bond, among other notable roles -- was rumored last Thursday to be coming to Taiwan to join the "Hand-in-Hand Rally" slated to take place on Feb. 28. The rally, a human chain that organizers say will stretch across the island over a distance of more than 500km, is meant to protest China's targeting of Taiwan with missiles.
Hwang, who also serves as the spokesman of the pro-unification Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-PFP alliance, toned down his remarks yesterday, saying that Connery's decision not to join the Hand-in-Hand rally was strictly his own.
"It was based on the principle that we wished Connery not be misled and manipulated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that the PFP, via its channels, explained to him the truth and essence about the rally -- that the event involves Taiwan's election," Hwang said at a press conference at the alliance's national campaign headquarters.
"Out of respect for Taiwan's domestic election, it was Connery's decision not to come to Taiwan, and not one that resulted from any demands or hindering from the PFP," Hwang said.
Saying that the people of Taiwan hoped that Connery will one day visit Taiwan, Hwang said that both the alliance's presidential hopeful, Lien Chan (
Charles Chen (
Stating that he had become acquainted with the James Bond star when he helped finance the production of Connery's 1995 movie, Entrapment, Chen said he had made a phone call to Connery on Sunday.
Chen said that during their phone conversation, which lasted for approximately 20 minutes, the actor told him that he had been invited to the 228 rally and had originally planned to come to Taiwan and take part in the event.
"While [Connery] refrained from making a clear explanation, he stated that it was because of political influence that he decided to cancel his plan [to take part in the event]," Chen said.
Although he is a registered member of the KMT, Chen said that he had no intention to meddle in political affairs as he regarded himself as strictly a businessman.
"Politicians should put aside their self-interest and party line and do what's good for Taiwan as a whole on the global stage," he said. "It's a shame that Taiwanese politicians are using domestic politics to become a laughing stock of the international community."
According to Chen, Connery would visit Taiwan "at a more appropriate time" later this year.
Meanwhile, stating that she was also a fan of Connery, first lady Wu Shu-chen (
"What isn't good about having Connery come to Taiwan? For then he can get to learn more about Taiwan and have an accurate impression of our country," Wu said. "I don't understand why someone would take pride in saying that they had prevented [Connery] from coming to Taiwan."
Also see story:
Chen invites election rivals to join human chain at 228 protest
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