Soong threatens to smear Lee's reputation

Independent presidential candidate James Soong (宋楚瑜) yesterday warned that he would disclose everything he has done for President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), if the president continues to accuse him of stealing the country's money.

Soong made the remarks during a campaign rally in Kaohsiung County following Lee's recent attacks on Soong over alleged involvement in a financial scandal.

Soong said he truly respects Lee, but if the president continues to smear him, he will reveal everything that he has done for the president during his tenure as the KMT's secretary-general, and this will damage the reputation of Lee, the party, and the country.

In response, Ting Yuan-chao (丁遠超), spokesman for the Presidential Office, yesterday said what the public cares about is whether Soong has stolen money and whether he has told the truth.

Ting asked Soong not to pass the buck to Lee or former president Chiang Ching-kuo's (蔣經國) family. Soong previously claimed that the large sum of money in the accounts of his family members was used to take care of Chiang family descendents at the request of Lee.

"It is useless to divert public attention from the financial scandal," said Ting.