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Nov 6, 2006 Chen Vows To Quit If Wife's Found Guilty Of Corruption President insists fake invoices were submitted in Taiwan's interests By Taiwan Correspondent, Ong Hwee Hwee Straits Times TAIPEI - SCANDAL-TAINTED Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian yesterday vowed to step down if his wife is found guilty of corruption, in a last-ditch attempt to prove his innocence. But observers described his pledge as a delaying tactic because legal proceedings in this case could take more than a year. By then, his term of office, which expires in March 2008, would already be nearing its end. In a bid to secure his tottering presidency, Mr Chen, a professional lawyer, put up a feisty defence against graft charges levelled against him and his wife in a speech televised live last evening. Prosecutors said on Friday that they had enough evidence to indict the President and his wife on charges of embezzling NT$14.8 million (S$703,000) in secret diplomatic funds by submitting false invoices. Although Mr Chen cannot be charged while he is in office, the prosecutors' findings have posed the gravest challenge to his presidency, which has been rocked by a spate of graft scandals implicating him and his family. Breaking a two-day silence, Mr Chen said the outcome of the probe was 'unacceptable'. 'It is like passing the death sentence on a politician,' he said. Mr Chen, who spoke in Mandarin and the local Minnan dialect, reminded the Taiwanese public that he had offered to halve his monthly salary to NT$420,000 when he was first elected President in 2000. 'That translated to a loss of NT$33 million in income over the past six years. 'Does it make sense that I would embezzle just NT$14.8 million? Use your brains,' he said. He added that he was forced to submit fraudulent receipts because the funds allocated for secret diplomatic missions were insufficient. But prosecutors said on Friday that only part of the funds was used for this purpose. Rebutting, the President said it was because he could not reveal highly confidential details which would jeopardise Taiwan's interests. 'Is it unforgivable if I tell a white lie in order to protect Taiwan's interests?' he asked. To prove his innocence, he said he would resign if his wife, Madam Wu Shu-chen, is found guilty of corruption in the first court ruling. 'There is no need to wait for the outcome of an appeal,' he said. But he did not address other evidence cited in the probe findings. For instance, he had admitted to prosecutors that NT$1.3 million from the funds was used to buy a diamond ring for his wife. Analysts say his public explanation was aimed at convincing his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and core supporters. Support from the DPP is crucial if Mr Chen hopes to survive a fresh opposition-backed parliamentary motion to oust him. If a dozen DPP lawmakers decide to defect and support the move, the motion would get past the legislature to an island-wide referendum, which could lead to his removal from power. 'There is now a possibility that some DPP lawmakers may back the move to oust him,' said Professor Luo Chih-cheng from Soochow University. The more reform-minded DPP lawmakers had declared openly that Mr Chen should resign if he is found to be involved in corruption. But DPP chairman Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday the party agrees with his explanation. However, it remains to be seen if the views of Mr Yu, who is known to be close to Mr Chen, are shared by other DPP lawmakers. 'If the DPP goes back on its word now, its credibility and image will be hurt. It's time for the party to take a clear stand on the issue,' Prof Luo told The Straits Times. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access |