Hsieh backs the president's `blind date' tryst

Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday defended President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) over accusations he was getting too close to the People First Party (PFP) after clinching an agreement with PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜).

Former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) daughter, Annie Lee (李安妮), said on Thursday that the former president was very upset at Chen for getting too close to the PFP, though Chen had said on Monday that the Chen-Soong summit was Lee Teng-hui's idea.

Annie Lee said, "Yes, my father encouraged Chen to meet Soong but he never asked Chen to reach any agreement with them [the PFP]. It's outrageous for a couple to have sex on a blind date, isn't it?"

Hsieh responded at the legislature yesterday morning by saying, "It's quite possible for a couple to have sex on a blind date -- what's wrong with that?"

"Honestly, I do not quite understand Annie Lee's statement and why she said this. But, I think, things like this do happen. It is possible," Hsieh said.

Also see story:
Annie Lee chastised for remarks