Newsmaker: Taiwan loses a fiery independence fighter

In 1991, Lee led the Action 100 Alliance (一百行動聯盟), whose aim was the abolition of Article 100 of the criminal code, the so-called law on "crime of internal disruption of the peace."

Partly because Lee's appeal was vigorously supported by Taiwanese intellectual circles and public opinion, the legislature finally passed an amendment of Article 100. This granted the Taiwanese freedom of thought and speech, as well as freedom of association.

In 1992, Lee founded the FTMPA to unite the medical community to play a more active role in curing the nation of its malais. He also led the medical group to push for Taiwan's entry into the UN and the WHO under the name of "Taiwan."

In 1995, when Hsu Shin-liang (許信良) -- widely regarded as a deal-making politician in terms of his ideas on cross-strait relations -- chaired the DPP, Lee formed the TAIP to counter Hsu's concept of "march westward boldly, open to three full links" (大膽西進，開放三通).

After the 2000 presidential election, when Chen Sui-bian (陳水扁) was elected president, Lee announced he was quitting the TAIP -- with some other party heavyweights. Yet, the TAIP yesterday released a statement to mourn Lee's death and praised his leadership as the founding chairman of the party.

Lee said he quit the party he established because its transitional mission had been fullfilled (with Chen's election victory).

"Thanks to Lee's efforts the establishment of the TAIP served successfully as a firewall against the DPP's possible China policies under the chairmanship of Hsu.

That is why the voice of Taiwanese independence is still heard by the international community," said William Huang (黃玉炎), vice chairman of the TAIP.

"Each time when I saw him, at such an advanced age, fighting so hard for the dignity of Taiwan's people and Taiwanese independence, whether in the crowds or on the campaign podium, it made me feel that how can we younger generation be absent in this historical mission?" Huang told the Taipei Times.

"It's sad that his dream of Taiwanese independence wasn't realized during his lifetime, but his contribution should be remembered," commented Huang.

Even so, Huang -- and certainly also a number of other prominent TAIP members -- won't forget his abandonment of the party he helped to found.

"It's hard to forgive. Since the goal of Taiwan independence has not been reached yet, how could he abandon the party?" Huang said.