Lee keeps a low profile on visit to alma mater

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) played tourist on Wed-nesday at his alma mater Cornell University after stirring up a storm at home with his comments on domestic politics.

Lee made just one brief public appearance to open a science research center that will bear his name. He also spent time with his granddaughter, a summer student at the university, and met with the chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

He tried to keep a low profile on Wednesday and refused to comment on the crisis facing the KMT, which is trying to keep itself from crumbling.

"I don't want to talk about politics today," Lee, 78, said when asked about the state of his party.

Earlier this month, Lee set tongues wagging after sharing the stage with DPP President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) at a public launch for a pro-Taiwan group of intellectuals.

At a rally with supporters on Tuesday night, Lee asked the people of Taiwan to give the new government time to learn the ropes.

The previous night in Los Angeles, Lee said he may have to come out of retirement if Taiwan's economy and democracy did not stabilize.

Politics did come up in Lee's private meeting with AIT chairman Richard Bush on Wednesday. During the 45-minute meeting Bush reportedly expressed concern about Taiwan's domestic political situation. According to local media, Lee told Bush that there was nothing wrong with having a rotation of political parties in Taiwan. Lee also said that Chen and his administration were gradually improving.

On Wednesday the university announced the establishment of the Lee Teng-hui Institute for Scientific Research, which will specialize in materials science and nanotechnology.

Lee said the institute "will develop not only new, but ethical technologies, ones that benefit world peace and further human progress, including the creation of new materials that are less polluting for the earth."

As Lee toured Cornell out of public view, a noisy rally of more than 200 pro-Beijing demonstrators waved flags and shouted

slogans.

They took to Cornell's main square to denounce Lee and the university's decision to name a research center in his honor.

"Lee gives Cornell money, but money is not everything. Cornell should have principles. Cornell should have morals," said John Chen, a Temple University math professor and president of the Global Chinese Alliance for the Unification of China.

"Naming a building after such an evil man is insulting," he said.

Meanwhile, Chinese students from Cornell and other upstate New York universities -- as well as supporters from New York City and Washington -- gathered outside Cornell's student union as Lee attended a private luncheon across campus.