Taiwan discusses how to repair scandal-tarnished image
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-22 11:17 Taiwan planned to discuss how
to repair its battered image at a weekend meeting following a series of scandals
surrounding Chen Shui-bian and "government officials".
Chao Chien-ming,
son-in-law of Chen Shui-bian, bows in apology after he left Taipei
District Court on bail July 10, 2006. Taiwan prosecutors said they
had indicted Chao on charges of insider trading and were seeking an
eight-year sentence. [Reuters] |
Chen, who said he would not attend the two-day meeting, led the Democratic
Progressive Party to power in 2000, largely on promises of ending the corruption
that had characterized more than five decades of Nationalist Party rule.
But in recent months, Chen has seen his clean-cut image sullied by a number
of scandals involving his family. Son-in-law Chao Chien-min was arrested on
suspicion of insider trading and formally indicted on July 10.
Prosecutors also are investigating opposition allegations that first lady Wu
Shu-chen profited from the transfer of an upscale Taipei department store to new
owners. The President's Office has denied the accusations.
The party planned to discuss how to respond to the scandals at the weekend
meeting, including whether to issue a statement backing Chen. Some party
supporters have recently called on Chen to resign.
Chen's office issued a statement Friday saying he would not attend the
meeting, while pledging his support for the party. Chen "will not attend, but
that doesn't reduce his passion and expectations for the DPP," the statement
said.
The DPP's image has also suffered from other scandals involving the
officials.
On Thursday, "Vice Interior Minister" Yen Wan-jinn,a former DPP official,was
arrested on suspicion of graft in a cable car construction project.
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