Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) said yesterday that he didn't mind criticism from KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰), because the comments were simply "foolish remarks uttered by a fool."
Appearing at Taoyuan County garden yesterday, Lee told the media that he was not at all bothered by Lien's comments to the National Press Club in Washington last week.
In a speech to the group, Lien branded Lee as "pass?."
He said that "Lee's time is gone for the KMT and for the Republic of China," and that Lee is becoming "more and more irrelevant to Taiwanese politics."
Lien, Lee's chosen successor, also painted the relationship between Lee and President Chen Shui-bian (
While Lien's pointed speech created a political stir, Lee was apparently unaffected.
In his first public appearance after being hospitalized for pneumonia last month, Lee, accompanied by his wife, Tseng Wen-hui (曾文惠), appeared healthy and in good spirits.
The former president paid a visit to the garden to show his concern for the country's agricultural development and to understand the techniques used by gardeners to grow flowers.
He refused to answer any other political questions and told the reporters present to "read more books about Taiwan's history."
Despite Lien's comments, Lee's influence remains fairly robust.
Reports said Sunday that Lee may soon host an Internet radio talk show and publish a book, in which he will outline what he sees as the country's direction.
TSU lawmaker Liao Pen-yen (廖本煙) said that Lee told TSU lawmakers that he intends to compile his many speeches, his thoughts about national policy and the opinions of specialists in a number of fields for another book.
The purpose of the book, according to Liao, will be to give people an understanding of the nation's past and clarify the nation's identity.
The book will then become a textbook for The School of Lee Teng-hui after it is published, the lawmaker added.
Lien lost his bid for the presidency in 2000.
RSS