Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday expressed the hope that pro-independence groups would form a new party.
The Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan Chairman Tsay Ting-kuei (蔡丁貴) told reporters after visiting Chen at the Taipei Detention Center in Tucheng (土城), Taipei County, yesterday that the former president thought Taiwan needed a party to push for its sovereignty and that he would like to see pro-independence groups establish it.
“Taiwan is not part of China,” Tsay quoted Chen as saying. “Taiwan and China are two different countries on each side of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan must shake off the constraints imposed by the Republic of China.”
Tsay said that Chen hoped to see such a declaration clearly enshrined by the proposed party.
When asked about Chen’s role in the new party, Tsay said they did not have time to talk about details. He said that the purpose of the new party would not be to reduce the power of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), but to assume different responsibilities.
“Since the DPP is preoccupied with elections, the new party will be tasked with the mission of pursuing an independent Taiwan and building a new republic,” he said.
Meanwhile, former first lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍) also visited Chen yesterday. Accompanied by DPP Legislator Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) and other friends, Wu brought food to Chen.
It was the second time Wu has visited Chen since the former president was sent back to the detention center on Dec. 30.
Also yesterday, Chen’s office issued a statement requesting the Taiwan High Court release him, arguing that he would not abscond, collude with other witnesses or attempt to destroy evidence.
The office also canceled a press conference that they had planned to hold yesterday about DVDs of prosecutors’ interviews with witnesses in the case. The office yesterday said that it needed more time to watch the videos.
Speculation was rife that the office and Chen’s legal team did not see eye to eye on whether to disclose the videos, but the office yesterday dismissed this.
In related news, the Special Investigation Panel yesterday called Yuanta Financial Holding Co chief operating officer Michael Ma (馬維辰) to question him as a defendant.
Ma was listed as a defendant on suspicion of helping Chen and Wu transfer money overseas.
Ma and his brother, Yuanta Financial Holding Co president Victor Ma (馬維建), allegedly wired US$180,000 to foreign accounts in the name of Wu’s friend Tsai Ming-che (蔡銘哲), prosecutors said last month.
Chen is scheduled to attend pre-trial hearings today and tomorrow.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHELLEY HUANG
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