The investigation into the Lafayette kickback scandal is snowballing as more and more countries get involved in the case. Presidential advisor Hsieh Tsung-min's
Hsieh has suggested that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) should grant an amnesty to some key witnesses to encourage them to provide lists of people who benefitted from the bribery and help expose the killers of navy Captain Yin Ching-feng (尹清楓). But Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan (陳定南) has objected to that suggestion, saying a presidential amnesty should only be reserved for convicts. An amnesty for people implicated in a case that is still under investigation would amount to interference in the judicial process. Chen has suggested that instead, suspects could be exempted from criminal liability under Taiwan's anti-corruption regulations as a way of encouraging them to act as witnesses.
Chen's argument is reasonable. But the Lafayette investigation team has failed to made any breakthroughs after questioning former top military decision-makers, including Hau Pei-tsun
The predicament facing the investigators now is that almost all the key players in the case have fled to other countries. The mysterious arms broker Tu Cheng Chun-chu
Hsieh's investigation has also revealed a trail of death linked to the kickback scandal, in addition to Yin's. Two people suspected of involvement in the laundering of the kickbacks have died from car accidents. Thierry Imbot, the son of a former French intelligence chief who was in Taipei from 1989-94 as a "special officer" of the French commercial office, died in October after falling from a building in South Africa. Thomson Japan's general manager Jean-Claude Albessard died from a mysterious disease in March. Almost all avenues of investigation in the case are now blocked.
The only hope now seems to lie in Thomson CSF's own list of people to whom kickbacks were given. But prosecutor Hung Wei-hua
A lawsuit may be the only way to obtain the Thomson CSF list. Navy headquarters have already filed a lawsuit in a French court demanding compensation from Thomson. The navy hopes to obtain the name list during the litigation process.
We can only hope that this scandal, which may have claimed at least five lives and cast suspicion upon so many high-level government officials in four countries will soon be completely unveiled.
Two major Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-People’s Liberation Army (PLA) power demonstrations in November 2024 highlight the urgency for Taiwan to pursue a military buildup and deterrence agenda that can take back control of its destiny. First, the CCP-PLA’s planned future for Taiwan of war, bloody suppression, and use as a base for regional aggression was foreshadowed by the 9th and largest PLA-Russia Joint Bomber Exercise of Nov. 29 and 30. It was double that of previous bomber exercises, with both days featuring combined combat strike groups of PLA Air Force and Russian bombers escorted by PLAAF and Russian fighters, airborne early warning
On Tuesday, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued a statement criticizing Song Siyao (宋思瑤), a student from Shanghai’s Fudan University, saying she had offended the sensibilities of Taiwanese. It also called for the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation — established by former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) — which had organized the tour group, to remind group members to be careful with their statements. Song, during a visit to a baseball stadium in Taichung, said that the tour group “would like to congratulate China, Taipei team (中國台北隊) ... we wish mainland China and Taiwan compatriots can be like the team Chinatrust Brothers and
For three years and three months, Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has remained stalled. On Nov. 29, members meeting in Vancouver agreed to establish a working group for Costa Rica’s entry — the fifth applicant in line — but not for Taiwan. As Taiwan’s prospects for CPTPP membership fade due to “politically sensitive issues,” what strategy should it adopt to overcome this politically motivated economic exclusion? The situation is not entirely dim; these challenges offer an opportunity to reimagine the export-driven country’s international trade strategy. Following the US’ withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
“Integrated Diplomacy” (總和外交) is the guiding principle of Taiwan’s current foreign policy. It seeks to mobilize technology, capital and talent for global outreach, strengthening Taiwan’s international connections. However, without a robust information security mechanism, such efforts risk being reduced to superficial courtesy calls. Security clearance serves as the “entrance examination results” for government agency personnel in sensitive positions, qualifying them to access sensitive information. Senior aides in the US Congress must also possess security clearance to assist lawmakers in handling classified budgets. However, security clearance is not an automatic right or a blanket necessity for accessing sensitive information. Access is granted only
RSS