Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) revealed in an interview that some pro-independence groups did not like the idea of seeing former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) take over the presidency should he step down at the height of the corruption allegations against him in 2006, adding that his resignation would only have led to the collapse of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Lu said Chen told the "Formosa Weekly," which she founded, his side of the story regarding the “red shirt campaign” organized by former DPP chairman Shih Ming-teh (施明德) to depose Chen in 2006.
Since Chen is in detention, Lu said Chen answered their questions in writing. The material was released yesterday.
The former president said some pro-independence groups or activists told him that they opposed seeing Lu take over the presidency if he were to resign over the corruption scandal.
“It is not a secret that some people at the Taiwan Society complained about her,” he said. “When I learned that some people at Taiwan Society wanted vice president Lu to resign before they would allow her to speak at a rally to counter the red shirt army campaign, I felt it wasn’t right. I immediately told her never to quit.”
Chen said he would never resign under the pressure of the “red shirt army” or the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), which tried to recall him three times.
“Had I resigned, I would not be better off than I am now,” he said. “They would not stop the vendetta waged against me but would only strengthen it. At least I finished the two terms in office and was not deposed.”
Describing the campaign to depose him as a naked power struggle among the pan-blue camp, pro-unification media and frustrated politicians, Chen said it was a precursor to then-Taipei mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) bid to win the presidential election last year.
Chen dismissed allegations that then-premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) tried to force him to step down when pan-blue legislators were organizing their third recall attempt. Chen said he was grateful Su agreed to stay at his post, adding that Su did not pressure him or ask his permission to allow DPP legislators to endorse the recall campaign.
Chen said then-DPP chairman Yu Shyi-kun told him that Su had suggested either he step down if he were found guilty by the district court or if he agreed to let DPP legislators support the recall proposal. Chen said he decided to go for the first suggestion and announced it on Nov. 4.
Chen said he did not find out that it was Yu who made the suggestion until the presidential debate in 2007 and he did not know exactly who suggested it.
Commenting on his relationship with Shih, Chen said Shih had his eyes set on the post of legislative speaker, but not many DPP legislators supported his bid. Chen said Shih was also interested in the position of chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation, but he did not feel comfortable about giving Shih the position.
Shih yesterday denied he was interested in the position.
Chen said he apologized to his long-time supporters for ethical lapses or any political failing, but that he could never accept the accusation that he was corrupt.
While many DPP members distanced themselves from Chen after he was implicated in corruption charges, Chen said those who distanced themselves from the party would only be doomed in elections.
“Political parties that have faith in themselves and their colleagues don't easily talk about severing ties,” he said. “During the 2012 presidential election, I don't believe any DPP nominee would dare say he or she does not want the vote of A-bian supporters.”
UPGRADE: The Kang Ding-class frigate is replacing its Chaparall missiles with Tien Chien II and Hua Yang VLS, which would provide it with long-range, 360° air defense Taiwan plans to produce 1,200 to 1,376 Hai Chien II missiles (海劍二, Sea Sword II) — also known as TC-2N — to serve as the standard air defense system of the navy’s surface combatant fleet, a source said yesterday. Last week, the Hai Chien II, the naval version of the Tien Kung II missile (天劍二, Sky Sword II), completed a live-fire test in waters off the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology’s Jiupeng facility (九鵬) in Pingtung County’s Manjhou Township (滿州). The MIM72 Chaparral and other dated air defense missiles that currently arm Taiwanese ships have inadequate range to combat Chinese
REASONS FOR TRAVEL: An assistant professor said that proposed amendments to penalize drivers if they used drugs overseas would not deter people from traveling People who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana would have their driver’s license revoked, even if they used the substance while overseas, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday, citing proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). The amendments would also authorize the government to revoke the licenses of people determined to have used Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics, even if they were not operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, as well as ban them from taking the license test for three years, the ministry said. People aged 18 or
HEAVY WEATHER: Typhoon Jangmi is due to crash straight into the Ryukyus as airlines look to shift flights to larger aircraft or cancel flights to Okinawa entirely Taiwan’s international air carriers announced flight adjustments over the weekend as Typhoon Jangmi is forecast to hit the Ryukyu Islands today and tomorrow. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) upgraded Jangmi from a tropical storm to a typhoon at 8am yesterday, with the eye located 580km south of Naha city. It was moving north at 19kph. Today, China Airlines’ CI-120, CI-121, CI-122 and CI-123 flights between Taoyuan and Naha, Okinawa, have been canceled as well as CI-132 and CI-133 between Kaohsiung and Naha. EVA Air’s BR-112, BR-113, BR-186 and BR-185 flights between Taoyuan and Naha are also canceled. Low-cost carrier Tigerair Taiwan canceled IT-230,
Johanne Liou (劉喬安), a Taiwanese woman who shot to unwanted fame during the Sunflower movement protests in 2014, returned to Taiwan last night after being deported from the US. She is to stand trial in Taiwan for charges involving embezzlement, fraud and drug crimes. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said it took her into custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and would first question her before transferring her to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. She was arrested upon disembarking a flight from San Francisco that landed shortly before 7pm. Liou absconded to the US in 2019 after jumping bail
RSS