Mon, May 14, 2001 page3

• Critics say Lu's book untimely

  HEARTFELT WORDS? Few are convinced the public needs another dose of the vice president's feelings, this time written down in the first book by a leader still in office

  • By Lin Mei-chun / STAFF REPORTER
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  Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), a source of much contention at the Presidential Office, has started another controversy as the first state leader to release a book whilst still in office.

  Although the vice president has said that the new book aims to convey her advice to the government, political analysts and government officials do not believe her book would necessarily meet its aim.

  While displaying their appreciation for Lu's devotion and her heartfelt concern to the country, most considered the release of the book "untimely."

  

  Vice President Annette Lu poses in front of a giant heart-shaped carnation garland in front of the Presidential Office during Mother's Day celebrations organized by the Council of Agriculture yesterday.

  PHOTO: HAKU HUANG, TAIPEI TIMES

  "It is unwise for any politician to release a book while they still hold office, and it is especially inappropriate for the vice president to do so in light of the fact that the Presidential Office has been overwhelmed by the strained relationship between the two leaders," said Chin Heng-wei (金恆煒), editor in chief of Contemporary Monthly.

  "At a time when relations between President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Lu are at a low ebb, any remarks made by Lu at the moment tend to trigger unnecessary speculations and tension," Chin said.

  The book, The true words to Taiwan -- the first year of Vice President Annette Lu (台灣良心話 -- 呂副總統的第一年), which sparked heated discussions in political circles even before its launch, was officially released yesterday.

  Last week, Lu stirred up a veritable media frenzy because in the book she says that her difficult situation in the government was only natural because both the media and presidential aides have treated her like "an alien."

  At a press conference for the release of her book yesterday, Lu said she was surprised to learn how the media had, once again, manipulated her simple remarks and turned them into another war of words.

  Often criticized for failing to hold her tongue, the vice president yesterday defended herself and said it was almost impossible to be a "voiceless vice president" because she is asked to speak publicly on so many occasions. Lu also maintains that all her comments were made for the benefit of the country.

  While recognizing Lu's capability and brilliance as a head of state, officials at the Presidential Office did not endorse the timing of the release of the book.

  "Lu's concern for the country is highly appreciated, yet there are other avenues in which to make her opinions heard.

  "She can speak to her heart's content to the president, but preferably in private.

  It demonstrates her shortcomings in political sensitivity when she detailed internal frictions [in the Presidential Office] in the open," said an official at the Presidential Office, who requested anonymity.

  The book compiles 27 speeches made by the vice president over the past year featuring a variety of subjects concerning human rights, domestic politics, Taiwan's international standing, as well as cross-strait relations.

  But what has sparked furor is the opening chapter -- Lu's interview with the political journalist Hsia Chen (夏珍).

  One year after becoming the first female vice president in Taiwan's history, Lu apparently is not enjoying her prestigious status, and there are incessant rumors that she and the president have such a strained relationship that Lu is virtually cold-shouldered when it comes to government operations.

  In the interview -- without seeking to quash such talk as hearsay -- Lu, on the contrary, bluntly revealed her discontent about being sidelined.

  Describing herself as being stranded in a situation where she has been blamed for everything she does, the vice president grumbled that the Presidential Office had showed no respect for her and that her good intentions had been frequently distorted.

  Over the past year the outspoken Lu has often been censured by members of the DPP for not staying gracefully in the background. Speaking out in the interview, she opposed the notion generally heard that vice presidents should be seen and not heard.

  "The Constitution has room for ambiguity or flexibility on the role of the vice president. The only ordinance is to state that the vice president is to replace the president when he is unable to run the government. But in the past, some vice presidents also served as premier," Lu noted.

  "Therefore, in accordance with the Constitution vice presidents are not necessarily voiceless, and they are by no means powerless deputy state leaders."

  She protested that Chen had failed to make good his campaign promise -- that she should be "a partner" to consult about national affairs, but now she is reduced to "a vase," -- an ornament

  Political observers were quick to point out Lu's lack of political tact in making such comments.

  Chin said that simply because there was no distinct regulation to categorize the authority of vice presidents in the Constitution, it is essential for Lu to maintain a harmonious relationship with Chen, because it is totally up to Chen to decide how much power he is willing to bestow upon his deputy.

  "If Lu expects to gain more power, she should either win the trust of the president, or the hearts of the public, but she has failed in both respects," said Chin.

  With respect to Lu's complaint directed at the media -- saying it has been unfair to her and was very adept at deliberately misinterpreting her words -- a political reporter, who preferred not to be identified, disagreed. She said the media's task was to chronicle and transmit facts truthfully.

  "[The media's] job is to record [the vice president's] words and deeds, not to serve as her public relations officials.

  "She is noted for her outspokenness, but as a vice president -- a focus of media attention -- she should keep tabs on every single word she utters," the journalist said. "Another problem is that she hasn't got a clue about how the media works, and thus is never able to foresee the impact on the media of her reckless comments."

  "What she is suffering ... is not a result of the media's failure to truthfully represent her as a female vice president. Instead, the primary cause is Lu's personality. She is self-centered and obstinate, and never listens to the advice of others," she said.
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