Chen Chien-jen back in Taiwan

Chen Chien-jen (程建人), the nation's top representative to the US, returned to Taiwan yesterday for routine consultations with the foreign ministry.

Sources said his one-week stay in Taipei, however, is expected to stir another round of disputes over whether he should resign because first lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍) had to go through an airport security check during her trip to the US in September.

Upon arriving at CKS airport early yesterday morning, Chen said his main reason for returning was the foreign ministry's requirement that senior envoys return for a short visit after two years in their post.

He also said his report to the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee will focus on Taiwan-US ties instead of questions about Wu's trip.

The veteran diplomat said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington, had done its best to arrange the trip.

It's likely that opposition lawmakers will corner Chen over the security check issue when he goes to the legislature tomorrow.

KMT lawmakers have demanded Chen and Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) take full responsibility and resign over Wu being checked with a metal detector at Washington's Dulles Airport before boarding a plane for Los Angeles on Sept. 26.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Katharine Chang (張小月) said the ministry will announce a list of officials to be rewarded or punished as a result of their work on the first lady's trip.

A ministry official said Chen tendered a oral resignation over the security-check incident although no written resignation was submitted.

During his stay in Taipei, Chen will call on President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), Premier Yu Shyi-kun and Vice Premier Lin Hsin-yi (林信義) as well as Chien and other Cabinet members.