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Opposition slams `toadying culture'

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has canceled a planned inspection visit to an air-force base in Hsinchu today, Presidential Office Spokesman Chen Wen-tsung (陳文宗) said last night.

The last-minute decision prompted speculation that Chen Shui-bian had changed his mind in the face of opposition criticism, but the spokesman said the president made his decision on the recommendation of the Ministry of National Defense. The ministry will reschedule the visit, the spokesman said.

The president came under fire from opposition lawmakers yesterday over the planned visit, with the legislators decrying what they called the "toadying culture" of the armed forces.

A Chinese-language media report said that soldiers at the base had complained about intensive practice for drills and performances for the presidential visit. The soldiers also complained that they were barred from taking leave last week because of the rehearsals.

People First Party (PFP) caucus whip Hwang Yih-jiau (黃義交) challenged Chen to make it clear that he disapproves a "toadying culture" and that people who try to fawn over him might sabotage their career.

"It is sad to see the Democratic Progressive Party administration, which prides itself in defending democracy and resisting authoritarianism, indulges in practices that run against those values," he said.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip John Wu (吳志揚) said that although it is normal for the armed forces to give their best impression to the head of state, who is also the commander-in-chief, care should be taken to prevent such displays from going too far. Otherwise, he said, it would be an example of "toadying culture," citing a composite picture produced by an air base in Tainan in March of Chen dressed as a five-star general.

Wu cited an incident at the same base in January 2003, when Indigenous Defense Fighter pilots were asked to don A-bian hats to welcome Chen. Shen Tsai-tien (沈再添), the base's commander, was later promoted to head the presidential bodyguard team.

Jumping to Chen's defense, DPP caucus whip William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday that the president has never and will never request a specific welcoming ceremony.

"Such a description [`toadying culture'] is unfair and irresponsible to both the president and the armed forces," Wu said, adding that the special arrangements for the visit may have had more to do with Soldier's Day this Saturday.

The base's cultural chief, Chen Hong-an (陳宏安), said that only 350 soldiers were involved in the rehearsals, which had been held for five days. The 20 to 30 soldiers asked to interrupt their holidays would have the time made up.

The opposition also raised President Chen's inspection of the Hsuehshan Tunnel (雪山隧道) in Ilan on Saturday, for which a special bridge was reportedly erected.

KMT Legislator Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋) yesterday described the bridge as an "emperor's bridge" and a "concealing cream" used to cover up the government's inadequate performance ahead of the year-end elections.

Lai called on the opposition and the media to wait another week to see whether the bridge was indeed built for just the presidential visit before jumping to any conclusions.

The Presidential Office said yesterday that Chen has never demanded ceremonies on his trips around the country because he values communication with the people more than formalities.

It noted that ostentatious departure and arrival ceremonies at CKS International Airport have been eliminated.

Additional reporting by Chiu Yu-tzu
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