Academia Historica yesterday publicized four new books based on official archives about the 228 Incident, which President Chen Shui-bian (
"The experience of the 228 Incident -- no matter if it is the feeling of pain, sadness, hate or terror -- has become the joint memory and historic property of all people who live and grow up on the island," the president said at a press conference to promote the books.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
"A profound knowledge and understanding of the 228 Incident is the starting point for all Taiwanese to look to the future," the president said.
Hundreds of relatives of the 228 victims attended the press conference to hear President Chen introduce the publications.
The books are a compilation of some 57,000 government files that the Presidential Office handed over to Academia Historica and the preparatory office of the bureau of national archives. Twelve volumes are to be published and yesterday's press conference was held to promote the first four.
Lee Shiao-feng (
"It is fortunate that Taiwan has witnessed the transfer of power, which led to the disclosure of these official documents," Lee said. "People can now understand how the authorities violated human rights and conducted such brutal acts.
"However, we should compare these books composed of historic documents with research done by civic groups," Lee said. "Only this way can we help the younger generation understand the truth."
Representing 228 victims' relatives, Chen Chung-kuang (
"It is ironic that we relatives of the 228 victims today hold a press conference at the President Office, where the portraits of two former president Chiangs are hung," Chen said. "We hope they will listen to our voices and conduct some introspection."
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