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Sources believe rogue official back in Taiwan

"Pan is being held somewhere by the NSB so they can gain an understanding of the motives behind his return. He might be released in a few days."

An anonymous defense source

Former National Security Bureau (NSB) official Pan Hsi-hsien (潘希賢), who violated regulations to travel to and work in China three years ago shortly after retirement, may have returned to the country on Monday, sources said yesterday.

Pan, who retired on June 1, 2000, as personnel department chief of the NSB, had been in China for the past three years.

Pan flew to China three days after retirement, making front-page news. He was the first senior NSB official to violate regulations to travel to China after retirement.

According to regulations, Pan was not allowed to travel to or stay in China within three years of retirement because he had handled sensitive materials while working for the government.

A defense source said Pan likely returned to the country on Monday but that he has yet find out why he chose to return at this moment.

It was also not known whether Pan had returned by airplane or by other means such as by fishing boat.

"Pan is being held somewhere by the NSB so they can gain an understanding of the motives behind his return. He might be released in a few days," the source said.

The NSB, however, denied that Pan has already returned to the country, saying he should still be in China.

Independent Legislator Peter Lin (林進興), a former member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was skeptical of the NSB's statements.

"I have strong reasons to suspect that Pan has come back. But the NSB keeps telling me nonsense," Lin said.

"As I first called them for a confirmation of rumors about Pan's return, I was told that they were holding a meeting to find out whether Pan had indeed returned," he said.

"They are treating me like a child. Would I be so stupid to believe that they could determine a person's whereabouts through a meeting? I have written an official letter to the NSB asking for an explanation of the matter," he said.

Lin, who has a doctorate in medical science from Johns Hopkins University in the US, said he suspected the NSB was trying to cover for Pan, who should otherwise be condemned for his decision to go to China three years ago.

"Pan came back apparently for the purpose of money," he said. According to new rules, Pan can collect a retirement pension if he comes back before Jan. 1. Under the old rules, Pan's family could collect the pension on his behalf.
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