The informant learned that Feng felt "relieved" after leaving the AIT, telling the informant in private that "the green card problem was finally solved" Chao said.
In response, the Ma camp held a second press conference later in the day, with Feng in attendance.
Feng conceded that he had met AIT officials on Thursday, but said it was to discuss the election and other political matters. He also said the meeting was at the Grand Hotel, not at the AIT.
"I did not go to the AIT on that day," he told the press conference. "I did not discuss Ma's green card with the officials or fill out Form I-407 during our meeting."
He and the official discussed the presidential election and Feng took the occasion to reiterate Ma's request that the AIT tell the media that his green card is invalid.
Feng said Ma sent a letter to the AIT last week requesting that the AIT provide documentation showing that his green card was invalid.
"I meet AIT officials regularly, so it's normal," Feng said.
Asked if he knew in advance that Feng intended to meet AIT officials, Ma said at a separate setting yesterday that it was Feng's job to establish contacts and relations with foreign media and representatives. It is unnecessary for Feng to report about every private meeting he has with AIT officials, Ma said.
With regard to the discrepancies between the accounts provided by the informant and Feng, Chao said the Hsieh camp would attempt to verify the details.
"I suspect that Feng only told part of the truth. He must have concealed many facts," Chao said.
Commenting on the matter yesterday, Hsieh questioned Ma's credibility.
"In the morning, Ma called the report a serious accusation, but in the afternoon, his camp admitted that the meeting took place," Hsieh said. "Ma always modifies his previous remarks. He has no credibility whatsoever. How would people relax with such an unreliable person leading the country?"
Asked for comment, AIT Spokesman Thomas Hodges said: "When it comes to the Taiwan presidential election, the position of the American Institute in Taipei and the US government is neutral."
He said the AIT was closed on Thursday because of the holiday.
Ma's campaign team issued a statement late last night demanding Chao offer an apology within 28 days or else it would file a suit.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JENNY W. HSU
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