TSU calls on Chen to apologize to the public

"We ask President Chen to learn from the emperors of ancient times and issue a decree to acknowledge his mistakes in leading the country and ask for the people's forgiveness."

Chen Chien-ming, TSU secretary-general

The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday urged President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to apologize to the public for what it called "a lack of efficiency over the past few years" and to grant the 319 shooting suspect's family members a special pardon.

"So far, the progress of the March 19 shooting investigation indicates that the motive of the suspect, Chen Yi-hsiung (陳義雄), who attempted to murder President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) [on the eve of last year's presidential election], was his frustration over the government's handling of the economy," TSU Secretary-General Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘) said yesterday.

`Ask for forgiveness'

"Therefore, we ask President Chen to learn from the emperors of ancient times and issue a decree to acknowledge his mistakes in leading the country and ask for the people's forgiveness," Chen said.

"President Chen owes all the people of Taiwan an apology and should seek more positive advice to stabilize the nation," he said.

Chen Chien-ming made the remarks during a news conference held yesterday morning at the TSU's headquarters.

Chen Chien-ming said that the president should grant the suspect's family an amnesty to show sincerity toward maintaining the nation's stability. Three members of the suspected shooter's family have been charged in relation to the investigation. They are alleged to have destroyed evidence.

Defensive referendum

Meanwhile, Liao again called on Chen to launch a "defensive referendum" on May 14, in tandem with elections for representatives to the National Assembly.

"China's proposed `anti-secession' law has revealed China's ambitions to seize Taiwan, and Taiwan's president has to take initiatives to counteract China's invasion," Liao said.

DPP Legislator Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇), a lawyer, said that there is no law empowering the president to issue a decree to announce a mistake. Hsu denounced the idea as "clueless."

"The TSU's demand would only harm the union of the country and is not helpful for political cooperation," Hsu added.