Chuang's passing won't hinder Yin investigation

A member of a special Control Yuan committee investigating the Lafayette frigate scandal said yesterday that the death of former navy chief Chuang Ming-yao (莊銘耀) would not affect the outcome of the investigation.

Responding to speculation that Chuang's death might mean that certain aspects of the Lafayette affair and the related Yin Ching-feng (尹清楓) murder case will never be known, Chao Ron-yaw (趙榮耀) told the Taipei Times, "We talked to Chuang about a year ago, and his death will not make much difference to the case."

Chuang had indeed been asked to report to the committee to give his account of the events that led to the scandal. But, Chao said yesterday, "Chuang shouldn't be thought of as central to this investigation. We only had to talk to him once, whereas other military personnel have been interviewed several times."

Chao added that when Chuang reported to the committee, "He looked healthy," and that, "If Chuang were alive now, it's pretty likely he'd have any new evidence to offer the Control Yuan," Chao said.

Chuang was commander-in-chief of the navy when Yin was murdered in 1993. The police investigation into the murder brought to light the wider Lafayette scandal, in which many high-ranking military personnel are suspected of involvement.

The scandal ended Chuang's military career when he resigned to take responsibility for it.

Many believe that Chuang, even if not directly involved in the murder, must, as the navy's top official, have known more than he admitted to.

Chuang died of liver cancer on Sunday at the age of 73.

Meanwhile, the People First Party said yesterday that PFP legislators will today visit Control Yuan members.