DPP says KMT has much to explain over Lafayette deal

The DPP yesterday demanded PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) provide a clear account of the transactions involved in the Lafayette purchase that have been at the center of corruption allegations in France and Taiwan.

DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) said that since Soong was secretary general of the KMT when the deal was made, he must know every detail of the matter.

Lee said regardless of the verity of former French foreign minister Roland Dumas' recollections of the warship sale, KMT officials owe the public an explanation.

"US$400 million is a huge amount. It is impossible that Soong knew nothing about it. The KMT and PFP should stop blurring the focus of the issue and offer clear accounts," Lee said.

Lee added that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has never wavered in his determination to get to the bottom of arms-procurement scandals and wipe out corrupt "black gold" politics.

"The Lafayette kickback scandal and other weaponry procurement irregularities are high on the DPP administration's agenda, " Lee said. "President Chen will not compromise on this."