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President can't interfere in investigation, official says

It is inappropriate for President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) to intervene in the midst of which an ongoing investigation, an official from the Presidential Office said yesterday.

Presidential Office spokesman Chen Wen-tsung (陳文宗) made the remarks in response to the Taiwan Solidarity Union's (TSU) call yesterday asking the president to grant an amnesty to shooting suspect Chen Yi-hsiung's (陳義雄) family members.

Three members of Chen Yi-hsiung's family -- his eldest son, the son's wife and his youngest daughter -- had been charged with destroying evidence relating to the election-eve shooting.

The TSU also suggested that the president admit to poor performance in government, which the TSU said had played a part in triggering Chen Yi-hsiung to attempt to assassinate the president and vice president on March 19 last year.

"Out of respect for investigative professionalism and the judicial process, it is inappropriate for both the president and the vice president to wade in [to the process]," said Chen Wen-tsung, who is also the director-general of the Department of Public Affairs under the Presidential Office.

Stating that both the president and the vice president have in the past five years devoted their energies to governing, the Presidential Office spokesman said the nation's top two leaders "are willing to, with an open mind, take in all criticism and suggestions."

Chen Wen-tsung also added that the smooth implementation of government policies relies on joint efforts by both the governing and opposition parties.

"It is especially unacceptable to us that anyone would resort to this kind of violence, even to the extreme of trying to kill a national leader to vent one's irritation or dissatisfaction," Chen Wen-tsung said.

"This is a democratic country which attaches importance to human rights. Conduct of this sort is unacceptable," he added.
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