Former president talks about past and future

Liberty Times: Many KMT members can't understand your reasons for coming out in support of the TSU while still a KMT member. Can you explain?

Lee Teng-hui (李登輝): What I think and care about is whether Taiwan's democratic politics can operate in a healthy way after the transition of political power. It's not an issue of me wanting to intervene in the year-end elections and fight for a number of seats. Would a person who was president and party chairman for 12 years be so shallow? I've adopted a supportive and encouraging attitude toward the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), which sets stabilizing the political situation as its election goal. My ultimate purpose is democracy. I hope to encourage everyone to get rid of internecine attitudes. No matter who is in power, the opposition should fulfill its supervisory [duties], and not [engage in power] struggles. Also, anyone in power should make plans for the people, not for individual or factional interests. "If the family is in harmony, it'll prosper on every front." This is what Taiwan needs the most now. I am loath to see Taiwan's democracy backtrack. Everyone should give this a good think.

LT: Even though this is your point of departure, it has invited endless attacks and many doubt if it's worthwhile. What's your feeling?

Lee: I recently read a very interesting poem that explains why I've taken the leap at the risk of ruining my reputation.

A thousand years of honors and fame are but shadows outside your body,

A hundred years of glory and insults are but flowers in the mirror,

Being not inclined toward worldly affairs; being enchanted with nature,

Unconcerned about official positions; one follows one's heart and stays carefree.

When you get to my age and my phase [in life], you no longer want to pursue anything. It doesn't matter any more. What's most important is to follow your heart. I am very clear on what I am doing, no matter how much people want to criticize me. Some people who don't understand say I will ruin my historical status if I make a political comeback or encourage the TSU. This is a very selfish idea. Is any individual's status a concern when the country is sinking under its current difficulties?

LT: The KMT Vice Chairmen Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) and also Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) recently visited you at your residence. How did the visit go? Did you talk about campaigning for the KMT?

Lee: We had a very good talk that day. Everyone had an in-depth exchange of views. Both of them were my old cadres -- each with his own specialty and skills. I am very clear about their suggestions and I ponder them many times. Election issues should not be simplified as whether "to stump or not to stump for the KMT." This will create problems. It's as if I will support all KMT candidates indiscriminately. That's why I said "There's nothing of this sort."

I am willing to support any candidate who sympathizes with democratization and localization, insists on "Taiwan first" and, based on those mutually shared concepts, can become a stabilizing political force after entering the new legislature. If they really need me, I'll also be happy to help at an appropriate time, no matter which party they belong to. I told Wang and Wu on that day that I have very deep feelings for the KMT. There are quite a lot of people in the KMT who are following the right path and the right direction. I sincerely hope they can win by high-vote counts. Only when they have a bigger say in the KMT can the party have any hope for the future. Only then will the overall political situation be positive.