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Chiangs may be buried next year

"The Chiang family understands the situation and they have not pressured the defense ministry to speed up the process."

Lu Lin-tsu, director of the defense ministry's Bureau of Armament and Acquisition

The remains of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) will be permanently interred in July or August next year, an official of the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday.

Lu Lin-tsu (盧林賜), director of the defense ministry's Bureau of Armament and Acquisition, said that the bidding for the construction of the tombs for the two presidents will open later this month or early next month. The work is scheduled to be completed next June.

The ministry will fully respect the views of the Chiang family concerning the design and construction of the tomb, he said.

After the construction is complete, the Ministry of the Interior will also discuss with the Chiang family about interment arrangements.

"The Chiang family understands the situation and they have not pressured the defense ministry to speed up the process," Lu said.

Lu made the remarks after a local Chinese-language newspaper reported that the wishes of the Chiang family to have the pair buried in a military cemetery in Hsichih, Taipei County next spring may fall through.

The report said that the ministry has appropriated NT$27 million (US$801,180) for the burial and construction after receiving a request from the Chiang family earlier this year. But the bidding for the first stage of the project, including a geological survey and the repair of connecting roads, failed to attract suitable contractors and the work was delayed numerous times.

Former president Yen Chia-kan (嚴家淦) and many generals are buried in the Wutzushan military cemetery, known for its serene and beautiful surroundings.
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