Defense minister insists former president's shooting was staged
ROC Central News Agency
2008-05-23 13:07:27
Taipei, May 23 (CNA) Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min insisted Friday on his claim that the March 19, 2004 shooting of former President Chen Shui-bian was staged.
The minister said he respects the former president's decision to sue him over the claim.
Chen Chao-min, who was a member of the 319 Shooting Truth Investigation Commission, told legislators during a legislative committee meeting Wednesday that the wound on Chen Shui-bian's stomach was not caused at the scene of the shooting.
According to a report published Friday by the Liberty Times, the former president has decided to file a defamation suit against the minister in a bid to defend his reputation.
The defense minister said he would give the same answer if he were questioned about the issue again "because the facts have not changed."
The shooting, which left Chen and then-Vice President Annette Lu slightly injured, occurred when the pair were campaigning in an open jeep in Tainan, southern Taiwan on the eve of the 2004 presidential election.
The opposition believed the shooting was set up by Chen himself to generate sympathy votes, enabling him to win a second term by a mere 29,500 votes.
(By Y.F. Low)
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