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DPP DEMANDS PRESIDENT GIVE CLEAR ACCOUNT ON STATE AFFAIRS FUND USE

ROC Central News Agency

2006-11-04 01:13:17

    Taipei, Nov. 3 (CNA) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) demanded President Chen Shui-bian Friday explain to the public his alleged role in a scandal involving the appropriation of a special state affairs fund budgeted for his discretionary use.

    DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun announced the party's demand in the wake of an extraordinary late night meeting of party bigwigs after prosecutors said earlier that day they had sufficient evidence to indict Chen on corruption charges in connection with his handling of the fund.

    After months of investigation, the Taipei Prosecutor's Office said in an indictment against Chen's wife Wu Shu-jen that the first couple is suspected of misappropriating the special state affairs fund.

    The first lady was indicted on charges of forgery and corruption. The indictment read that she had "committed criminal deeds jointly with a public officeholder." The president was named along with the first lady on corruption charges, but not charged because of a constitutional immunity from criminal prosecution while holding public office.

    The first lady's indictment was the latest blow in an ongoing scandal that has prompted mass protests and calls for the president's removal.

    So far, the DPP has been steadfast in its support for the embattled president, who has survived two opposition attempts to hold a national referendum on Chen's recall and brushed aside weeks of boisterous street protests by anti-Chen demonstrators.

    However, Yu's announcement demanding a clear account from Chen highlighted a growing concern amid party rank-and-file that continued support for the president may harm its long-term electoral prospects.

    Also indicted were Ma Yung-cheng, a former deputy secretary-general to the president, who was charged with forgery. Chen Chen-hui, a cashier at the Presidential Office, and Lin Teh-hsun, a presidential aide, were indicted on forgery and perjury charges. Lee Pi-chun and Tseng Tien-tsu, a former aide to the president, were granted a two-year deferred prosecution.

    It was also decided at the DPP extraordinary meeting that the four indicted DPP members, including Wu, will be referred to the party's disciplinary committee to decide whether or how to punish them in line with party regulations.

    A consensus was also reached at the extraordinary meeting that the DPP will push for legislation of clear-cut rules to regulate the appropriation and reimbursement of the speical state affairs fund. DPP officials said Wu's indictment indicates that prosecutors and the Presidential Office are divided over the nature and disposal of the special state affairs fund.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, the DPP also issued a public apology for all the controversy and social turmoil caused by the state affairs scandal over the past couple of months.

(By Sofia Wu)

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