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Set rules for ex-generals if they visit mainland China: president

ROC Central News Agency

2011/06/09 17:21:33

By Kelven Huang, Wen Kui-hsiang, Sophia Yeh, Justin Su and S.C. Chang

Taipei, June 9 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou has asked the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and other authorities to draft a "code of conduct" for retired generals after one had reportedly made controversial remarks in China, a presidential spokesman said Thursday.

Lawmakers across the party lines condemned a retired general who was quoted by People's Liberation Army (PLA) Major General Luo Yuan as saying that no differences should be made between the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army and the PLA as both are "China's Army."

The president was "flabbergasted" to learn of the reported remarks, which, though yet to be confirmed, have left a bad taste among the people in Taiwan, according to his spokesman Fan Chiang Tai-chi.

The president was shocked and saddened by the remarks because many retired generals have dedicated their whole careers to defending the Republic of China and that other members of the ROC armed forces have sacrificed their lives fighting the Communists in defense of the ROC, Fan Chiang said.

He said the president is demanding a probe into whether the report was true, and if so, mete out "severe punishment" if the ex-general had indeed made such an "extremely inappropriate" remark while visiting China.

The president also demanded that the MAC and the Veterans Affairs Commission draft a set of rules for retired generals when they visit China, Fan Chiang said. The rules should stipulate that retired generals make their itineraries in China transparent and behave with caution during their stay there by putting the ROC's interests above all else.

Though retired military officers do not travel with any official capacity, their words and deeds are no less sensitive than incumbent officials, the president said.

Even if the whole incident happens to be a misquote, Ma said the government "has learned a lesson" regardless.

Not only should a "code of conduct" be spelled out, it might be a good idea to "privately persuade them" to refrain from making inappropriate remarks while in China, Fan Chiang quoted the president as saying.

In addition, Ma asked government authorities to remind retired generals of the government's policy of "no unification, no independence, and no use of arms" to settle differences with mainland China.

Fan Chiang said the president made it clear that at the present time, no one will be authorized to have dialogue with the mainland over military confidence-building mechanism.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) legislative caucus demanded the government immediately revoke the retirement pension and other benefits for the suspected ex-general.

Some DPP lawmakers, such as Tsai Huang-liang, suggested that the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) kick the ex-general out of the party.

In response, KMT legislative caucus whip George Hsieh said the government needs proof that the ex-general broke the law before it can withhold an employee's pension.

"It is unreasonable to make such a demand when we're still trying to determine whether he actually made those remarks," Hsieh said.