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Post-Election 2008: Hsieh's son breaks service rules on attending rallies

"What he did was obviously against the rules. A serviceman has to stay neutral in terms of political orientation."

Lisa Chi, Ministry of National Defense spokeswoman

Hsieh Wei-chou (謝維洲), son of former Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), became the center of attention at a press conference held by the Ministry of National Defense yesterday because he had attended one of his father's campaign activities while on active military duty.

"What he did was obviously against the rules. A serviceman has to stay neutral in terms of political orientation. But he only showed up at the event and did not campaign for his father," ministry spokeswoman Colonel Lisa Chi (池玉蘭) said.

"We have yet to decide how to deal with the case. But when we do, we will immediately make the decision public," she said.

Chi made the remarks during a press conference at the ministry yesterday morning, when she was asked to comment on the issue.

Prior to the presidential poll, the ministry reminded all military personnel several times that servicemen and women should not show support for any specific candidate and should not get involved in any campaign activities.

Hsieh Wei-chou appeared with his father during a campaign activity in Kaohsiung one day before the election, but he did not make any election-related comments.

The question of whether Minister of National Defense Michael Tsai (蔡明憲) should publicly proclaim the military's support for the new president was also discussed at the press conference.

"The minister would only do that if there was public unrest before, during or after the election, or if there were potential foreign military threats," Chi said.

"But no such incidents were reported and the election proceeded smoothly. As a result, there is no need for the minister to do that," she said.

Chi said, however, according to the Constitution, the minister will make such a vow when the new president takes the oath of office on May 20.
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