Following Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) fierce criticism of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) over the alleged probe into his administration's flaws on Sunday, a new volley of harsh words were exchanged yesterday when the Presidential Office publicly denounced Ma for being "disrespectful to the head of state."
The Taipei City Government then quickly went on the offensive, offering a stiff rebuttal.
Chen Che-nan (
Chen's remarks were triggered by the recent controversy surrounding the opening of the main building of the former official residence of Chiang Kai-shek (
On Sept. 8 the Presidential Office announced in a written statement that it had planned to open the first floor of the main building of the Chiang residence on Oct. 31.
Taipei's Bureau of Cultural Affairs (
"I don't understand why the bureau makes such a big deal of this matter since the Presidential Office will file an application to the bureau in the near future," Chen said. "It's just a matter of time."
Citing three more recent incidents to display Ma's "disrespect" toward President Chen, Chen first listed Ma's persistent targeting of the president over the issue of the tax redistribution fund.
Taipei's slice of the redistribution fund was reduced by NT$4.8 billion this year. Overall, the combined share that the special municipalities of Taipei and Kaohsiung are to receive dropped from 47 percent to 43 percent.
"The issue has nothing to do with President Chen, since the decision was one made by the Cabinet," Chen Che-nan said.
Ma has said that the president on two occasions publicly endorsed retaining the 47 percent allocation quota for Taipei and Kaohsiung, but "failed to make good on his promises."
Chen also criticized Ma's delay in welcoming President Chen on Aug. 31 when the president had been invited to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Hsinpu extension of the MRT system.
The third incident took place on Sept. 9, Chen said, during celebrations for Lawyers' Day, where Ma entered the auditorium as the president was delivering the opening speech.
Quickly going on the offensive, the Taipei City Government held a press conference to present its side of the story.
Speaking on behalf of Ma, Taipei Deputy Mayor Ou Chin-der (
"It amazes me personally that President Chen has the monarchal mentality that demands all of his officials welcome and bow to him when he arrives," Ou said.
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