Sat, Dec 16, 2006 page1

• Wu Shu-jen hospitalized during court appearance

  COURTROOM DRAMA Appearing in court at the start of her corruption trial, the first lady had to be taken to hospital after feeling ill, prompting criticism from some

  • By Jimmy Chuang, Shih Hsiu-chuan and Rich Chang / STAFF REPORTERS
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  TV viewers witnessed a dramatic scene yesterday as news clips showed first lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍) being rushed to hospital after she nearly collapsed as a result of low blood pressure during the first session of her corruption trial yesterday morning.

  The footage showed a nurse carrying Wu out of the court and placing her into an ambulance that was waiting outside the Taipei District Court at about 11:10am.

  Her eyes were closed and she looked pale and sickly.

  

  First lady Wu Shu-jen gestures while arriving at the Taipei District Court yesterday. Wu later nearly collapsed and was taken to hospital.

  PHOTO: SAM YEH, AFP

  Symptoms

  "When she arrived [at the hospital], she was sweating, her body temperature was dropping and so was her blood pressure. Her breathing was also irregular," National Taiwan University Hospital spokesman Lin Ho-hsiung (林鶴雄) told the media yesterday afternoon.

  "Her blood pressure and body temperature are now stabilizing," he added. "However, we strongly suggest that she stay in the hospital for further observation before we can be 100 percent sure that she is fit to be released."

  Accompanied by a medical team and bodyguards, Wu, who was indicted on charges of corruption and forgery in connection with the handling of the president's "state affairs fund," arrived at the Taipei District Court yesterday at around 9:25am and was ushered directly into Court Room No. 7.

  Her attendance had been in doubt until the last minute because of concerns over her health.

  Chen Shih-ying (陳世英), a member of the medical team who accompanied Wu to the court yesterday, told presiding Judge Tsai Shou-hsun (蔡守訓) that Wu had sat for too long, resulting in poor blood circulation.

  Poor circulation

  The poor circulation then slowed down her heartbeat, lowered her blood pressure and affected her breathing, he said.

  "Lying down will help improve her condition. We suggest [that she be allowed to rest]," Chen told Tsai.

  Tsai then asked Chen when Wu could be released and return to the court. Chen told him that Wu would have to be hospitalized for at least one or two hours. Tsai suggested that, if necessary, Wu be allowed to lie on a bed in the court room while she was questioned.

  The trial resumed at approximately 2:30pm without Wu.

  At about 3pm, Tsai asked Wu's lawyer, William Koo (顧立雄), to double check with doctors and see when Wu could return.

  Koo told Tsai that doctors wanted to keep Wu at the hospital for further observation. The court session ended two hours later.

  Prior to announcing that the trial would resume next Friday, Tsai asked Lin Chun-li (林俊立), another member of the first lady's medical team, to provide the necessary medical documents explaining Wu's absence during the afternoon session "as soon as possible."

  Informed of Wu's condition, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who at the time was meeting former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) director Richard Bush at the Presidential Office, rushed to the hospital after the meeting concluded.

  Numerous Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers expressed their sympathy for Wu.

  "The judge took an inhuman approach in questioning Wu," DPP Legislator Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said, adding that the public should show more consideration for the first lady.

  `Not surprised'

  DPP Legislator Lan Mei-ching (藍美津) said she was not surprised that Wu had almost collapsed.

  "Some people might say [Wu was play-acting], but that is because they don't understand how hard her life is." Lan said. "I once gave her a bath. I know [how frail she is]."

  Lan said that it was essential for the first lady to use a heater if she was required to be outdoors for any length of time during cold weather.

  DPP Legislator Hsu Rong-shu (許榮淑) said that if it wasn't for her perseverance, Wu would not have survived for so long.

  Wu was paralyzed from the waist down after being run over by a truck in 1985.

  Some pan-blue lawmakers also expressed compassion for Wu, while others questioned the seriousness of her condition.

  Praiseworthy

  Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Tsai Chin-lung (蔡錦隆) said Wu's appearance in court was praiseworthy.

  "We hope she will recover and be able to attend the next court hearing," Tsai said.

  KMT Legislator Hsu Shao-ping (徐少萍), however, found fault with Wu's outfit.

  "She dressed like she was going to a party, which shows that she has no sense of shame and lacks the modesty befitting someone asked to appear in court," Hsu said.

  Wu was dressed in a pink Christian Dior outfit.

  "The criticism [of Wu's clothing] was cruel," DPP Legislator Kao Chien-chih (高建智) said. "Many people buy brand-name products. Wearing brand-name clothing is quite normal."
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