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Elections 2006: Soong, Hsieh revisit Lafayette scandal

Democratic Progressive Party Taipei mayoral candidate Frank Hsieh yesterday challenges Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou during a press conference, asking him to withdraw from politics forever if the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) candidate, Hau Lung-bin, and his father were found to be involved in the Lafayette scandal. PHOTO: CNA

People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), who is running in today's Taipei mayoral election as an independent, joined Democratic Progressive Party Taipei mayoral candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday to question the role of the father of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) candidate Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) in the Lafayette kickback scandal.

"Did [Hau's father] Hau Pei-tsun (郝柏村) really have nothing to do with the scandal? ... Don't let the scandal become a burden for [KMT Chairman] Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) in 2008," Soong said while canvassing supporters in the city.

If Ma endorsed Hau Lung-bin, Soong said, Ma would have to shoulder the political and moral responsibility for the scandal.

Hsieh, at a separate press conference, also asked Ma to guarantee that Hau Lung-bin and his family members are not involved in the Lafayette scandal.

"This case concerns bribe money of NT$17 billion (US$515 million), five human lives and several countries. But, it is impossible to finish the investigation before election day," Hsieh said.

If any of the Hau family is convicted for offences related to the case, Ma should step down and withdraw from politics for good, Hsieh said.

In response, Ma yesterday said he would not comment on the "election rhetoric."

"I don't understand the case, how can I endorse Hau's family?" he said yesterday while visiting the Datung District with Hau Lung-bin.

Hau Lung-bin, on the other hand, insisted on his and his father's innocence.

"My father and I are innocent. Our innocence doesn't need Chairman Ma's endorsement," he said.

He urged the Hsieh camp to turn the case over to the prosecutors if it had any further questions.
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