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Presidential Office ordered to present `diplomacy' files

The Presidential Office said it would discuss with its legal team whether to present to court documents relating to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) controversial "state affairs fund," part of which Chen claimed to have used for secret diplomacy.

The Taipei District Court ruled on Friday that prosecutors did not violate the Constitution by questioning Chen over his alleged misuse of the fund.

They will therefore continue with the trial of first lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍), who was indicted on corruption and forgery charges in connection with the fund.

The court then rejected a request by prosecutors to seize fund documents allegedly relating to secret diplomacy. However, it ordered the Presidential Office to submit the documents by noon tomorrow.

The Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus has requested that the Council of Grand Justices rule on the constitutionality of the questioning of the president.

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) has also called on the grand justices to issue a ruling on the matter as soon as possible.

Deputy Presidential Office Spokesman Cho Chun-ying (卓春英) said that the court's decision had been received, but that officials would consult with lawyers before complying.

DEMERIT PROPOSAL

Cho also said the Presidential Office's merit commission would meet soon to decide whether to approve a demerit proposal for a presidential aide who allegedly visited a guesthouse in the company of female escorts.

The Presidential Office issued a demerit to Kuo Wen-pin (郭文彬) last Tuesday, pending commission approval.

The Chinese-language China Times yesterday alleged that the Presidential Office conducted an "unprecedented interview" with one of the alleged escorts as part of its investigation into the matter.

The report said the woman, nicknamed Lo Chi (羅綺), told the investigators that she charged NT$15,000 (US$470) a night but does not have sex with her clients.

She left the guesthouse in Kuo's car on the night of Dec. 14 but did not engage in sexual activity, the report quoted her as saying.

Kuo was alleged to have had sex with Lo because he had been spotted withdrawing money from an automatic teller machine by paparazzi before leaving with the woman.

Cho said the China Times report was just speculation.
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