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Chen, Lee ties focus at Lin nuptials

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday attended the wedding of Jeff Lin (林鴻聯), eldest son of the founder of the Liberty Times and Taipei Times, Lin Rong-san (林榮三), in their first appearance together since the National Assembly elections.

Lin Rong-san held a wedding banquet for his son in the lobby of the newly-established building of the Lin's Union Group (聯邦集團) in Neihu yesterday evening. Lee acted as witness, while Chen was one of about 300 guests invited to share the occasion with the Lins. The interaction of the two became a focal point for media at the wedding ceremony.

During the National Assembly election campaign, Chen and Lee had often butted heads, with Chen accusing Lee of wavering on many issues. Chen also told Lee not to interfere with the government too much.

Chen's comments led to a "freeze" in the two men's relationship, and Lee has seemed to be trying to avoid interacting with Chen in public in the past few months. Lee declined to attend the wedding of Chen Chih-chung (陳致中), Chen Shui-bian's only son last week, even though the Chens sent representatives to invite Lee.

In the wedding ceremony held yesterday evening, although the two did not talk to each other, their wedding speeches alluded to their troubled relationship.

When entering the reception area, Chen walked to Lee and shook hands with him. The two sat close to each other, separated only by a walkway.

Owing to the presence of the former and incumbent presidents and other dignitaries, and despite the joyful atmosphere created for the occasion, the wedding was somewhat tense because of the heavy presence of the National Security Bureau and sniffer dogs around the building.

In his speech made in the wedding ceremony, Lee praised Lin Rong-san's contribution to Taiwan's democracy, saying the newspaper's founder supported him and encouraged him during the most difficult years of his 12-year presidential term.

"Liberty Times has insisted on its support of Taiwan and never gave up. Mr. Lin Rong-san is one of the few successful enterpreneurs who are willing to contribute money and their efforts to the nation," Lee said.

Encouraging the couple to have patience, respect and tolerance for each other, Lee especially urged the newlyweds to work hard for Taiwan unselfishly and be proud of being Taiwanese.

"Taiwan now faces a crisis of national identity which needs every one's effort to correct," Lee said. "Hopefully this new couple could think about these questions all the time: Who are you, where are you and where will you go, which I believe should be the common issues for all the people of Taiwan."

In a belated benediction, Lee said a short "congratulations" to Chen concerning his son, who was married on June 18, at the end of his speech.

Chen, who originally did not plan to give a speech at the wedding, yesterday was asked to say something to the new couple. In his lengthy speech, Chen complained about Lee's absence from his son's wedding, saying that Lee did not respond to the Presidential Office's repeated invitations because his "prestige is not as big as Lin Rong-san's."

Chen also suggested that "Liberty Square" -- the name of Union Group's new complex -- should be changed to "Democracy Square" or "Independence Square," saying that Lin's enterprises have been working for the country, which is what he wants to do for the 23 million people of Taiwan.
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