Democratic Progressive Party Legislators Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) and Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) yesterday continued their attack on former premier Hau Pei-tsun (郝柏村), accusing him of having abused his authority and influence over the Ministry of National Defense.
Kuan and Hsu, who have held several press conferences over the past few weeks criticizing Hau, said the former premier asked two military officers on active duty to drive a car for a "mysterious woman" who had made frequent visits to "Hau's residence" on Dunhua S Rd over the past 10 years.
Hsu questioned the legitimacy of having two soldiers drive the car for the woman, who was a civilian.
He added that when he and Kuan tried to investigate the matter further, the soldiers were transferred to other military units.
"The Ministry of National Defense transferred one of the drivers, Hsu Chih-hsiang (
He said that the soldier was a military policeman and should have been on duty at the Presidential Office but ended up driving cars for a civilian at the residence.
He also accused the ministry of lying to the public for Hau by claiming that the car, a Mercedes 320, belonged to the soldier.
"How can a former military officer who has been discharged from the army for 16 years still enjoy such influence in the defense ministry?" Kuan asked.
Hsu and Kuan said Hau Pei-tsun and his son, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei mayoral candidate Hau Lung-bin (
Hsu Kuo-yung said indicted Lafayette arms dealer Andrew Wang (汪傳浦) opened several accounts with serial numbers 60580 and 60581 at UBS AG, while indicted former naval captain Kuo Li-heng's (郭力恆) account number at the bank was 60583. They claimed the bank accounts were used to transfer illegal commission from the nation's purchase of six Lafayette-class frigates from France in 1991.
Hsu said the owner of account number 60582 remains unknown but he is sure it belongs to someone involved in the Lafayette scandal. He again urged prosecutors for the case to include Hau Pei-tsun in the Lafayette investigation.
"Do you think if you give the cold shoulder [to our charges] and the media does not cover [them], then you can get away with it?" Kuan said.
In response, Hau Lung-bin yesterday said if the legislators have any questions, they should seek verification from the military and not resort to smearing others.
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