Chen says direct links no `cure-all' for economic woes

AP , TAIPEI

Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003,Page 3

President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday that lifting a ban on direct flights and shipping to China won't be a "cure-all" for the economy, noting that Hong Kong and Singapore, which have transport links with China, have suffered economic woes in recent years.

Chen was addressing criticism that he hasn't been aggressive enough in ending the transport barriers that began 54 years ago when the Communists took over China and Taiwan began resisting Beijing's rule.

Several business leaders have complained that Chen's reluctance to lift the ban is seriously crippling the nation's economy and handicapping domestic companies that want to be more competitive in China's booming market. When going to China, Taiwanese travelers and goods must stop at a third point -- usually Hong Kong or Macau -- before arriving in China. The stopover wastes time and money, businesses say.

But Chen said companies should not overestimate the importance of China.

"The mainland Chinese market is naturally important," Chen said in a speech to businesses. "But it's also full of risk and danger. It's only one part of the global market, not the whole thing."

GIO draws away from VCD dispute

U-TURN: The agency said that VCDs critical of the pan-blue camp were legal after all, as PFP pressure prompted an actress in the production to try suicide

By Ko Shu-ling

STAFF REPORTER

Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003,Page 1

In an apparent policy flip-flop, the Government Information Office (GIO) said yesterday that the Special Report series of VCDs mocking pan-blue politicians will no longer be considered illegal and therefore does not need to obtain a circulation license.

The announcement comes after criticism from the People First Party drove an actress in the VCD series, Wang Hsiao-fen, to attempt suicide.

"To safeguard a free press and free speech guaranteed by the Constitution, the GIO has the right to amend certain regulations to strike a balance between free speech and administrative management," GIO Director-General Huang Hui-chen said during a press conference at the Executive Yuan yesterday.

While the Broadcasting and Television Law mandates that 13 different kinds of taped television programs do not need to be sent to the GIO for review before airing, two additional kinds will be added to the list.

They are programs discussing public issues and VCDs released in conjunction with written publications. This means the Special Report series will no longer need to be sent to the GIO for review.

Huang had insisted that the VCDs violated the Broadcasting and Television Law because they failed to obtain a circulation license from the GIO.

The GIO's change of heart was believed to have a lot to do with the Presidential Office's attitude. The Presidential Office reportedly was surprised to learn of Huang's publicly declaring the illegitimacy of the VCDs. It feared that the GIO's interference in the matter would trample on the government's efforts to protect freedom of speech.

Huang also expressed his regret and sympathy yesterday over the pressure certain entertainers featuring in the series have had to endure.

"I'm calling on the public to respect the profession and working rights of entertainers," Huang said. "The public should realize that entertainers are not themselves when they play the roles."

Huang was referring to Wang Hsiao-fen, an actress playing a character named "Garbage Spring" in the series.

Wang was rushed to the hospital yesterday morning after she attempted to kill herself. Wang, a struggling single mother, reportedly tried to commit suicide because she was unable to cope with the pressure over the VCD.

People First Party (PFP) Legislator Chiu Yi said yesterday that he has filed a libel lawsuit against an actor in the series named Andy, who uses only a single name.

"I'll never let him off the hook so easily, even if the litigation process may cost me my job," he said.

Andy had questioned Chiu's financial situation and loyalty to his wife.

Andy's remark came after Chiu claimed that actress Chiang Hsia, cartoonist Yu-fu and a professor surnamed Hsieh at Soochow University and political commentator Shieh Jhy-wey were behind the controversial VCD.

Chiu claimed that the four DPP supporters were driven to shoot the political comedy out of a desire to keep the pan-green camp in office.

Tang disputes Shaheen's talk on subs

NATIONAL DEFENSE: The defense minister said that the government would press ahead with plans to buy eight submarines, even though the AIT chairperson said they were `silly'

By Brian Hsu and Ko Shu-ling

STAFF REPORTERS

Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003,Page 1

Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming yesterday said he would complain to American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) chairperson Therese Shaheen if he could verify that she really described Taiwan's plan to buy submarines as "silly."

"We do not know for sure whether Shaheen said, as reported by newspapers, that our bid to buy eight new diesel-electric submarines is silly. But if she did say so, we would complain to her," Tang said. "The Ministry of National Defense is firm in its determination to buy the eight new submarines. Both President Chen Shui-bian and Premier Yu Shyi-kun take the same position," he said.

"The MND is the final decision-maker in any arms purchase. It will not change because of any influence from outside," Tang said.

Tang held a press conference with navy commander-in-chief Admiral Miao Yung-ching. Both were at the legislature for a closed-door budget screening session of the defense committee.

Miao said the navy does have a great need for the submarines because they are deterrent weapons that could help prevent a war.

"We do appreciate US President George W. Bush's agreement to get eight new submarines for Taiwan in 2001. We hope to get them in the shortest time possible," Miao said. "But I do not mean that we can achieve this goal in one or two years."

Both Tang and Miao were responding to Shaheen's reported remarks on Saturday that Taiwan does not need to spend big money on submarines and that it might as well prioritize the enhancement of its command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (C4ISR) capabilities.

Shaheen was quoted as saying by several newspapers' correspondents in the US that Taiwan would not be able to get the submarines for at least 10 years and that the deal would cost billions of US dollars.

Shaheen considered it silly for some Taiwanese to argue now about who would build the submarines, reports said.

Shaheen's remarks aroused strong criticism from lawmakers promoting the plan to have part of the eight submarines built in Taiwan. The lawmakers were actually the driving force behind Tang's unusual press conference yesterday.

Lawmaker Lin Yu-fang of the People First Party said Shaheen should be more sophisticated in the handling of the submarine issue. Lin was the lawmaker who initiated the move to build part of the eight submarines locally.

Lin said Shaheen should not promote the C4ISR system at the expense of submarines, an item said to be strongly pushed by ex-US secretary of defense William Cohen, who is on a visit to Taiwan.

Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday reiterated that the government's plan to spend NT$700 billion over the next 10 years on weapons was unchanged.

"While China's military budgets increases by two digits every year, it's important to purchase sufficient weaponry to protect ourselves and safeguard the military balance across the Taiwan Strait," Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung quoted Yu as saying after Yu received Cohen during a closed-door meeting at the Executive Yuan yesterday afternoon.

While the legislature has the final say on the budget request, Yu said the Cabinet would exercise utmost caution while negotiating with the opposition.

"We have to handle this matter with extra care not only because the presidential election is only four months away but also because the ruling Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] doesn't enjoy an absolute majority in the legislature," Yu said. "Political disputes might arise if we fail to handle the matter properly and the media are very curious about arms procurement projects which are sensitive."

To avoid partisan confrontation in the run-up to next March's presidential poll, Lin said that it is highly unlikely that the Cabinet will make the budget request before the election.

Yu also insisted on building part of eight submarines the US promised to acquire for Taiwan although the US government claimed that it would cost much more to do so.

Under the Cabinet's plan, the state-run China Shipbuilding Corp will send technicians overseas to observe construction of the first two submarines to learn about the design, materials, production and logistics. The company then hopes to be able to build one-third of the hardware for the third and fourth subs. For the fifth and sixth subs, the company plans to build two-thirds of the hardware and then build all of the last two.

A man with `a wolf's heart and a dog's lungs'

By Chiu Hei-yuan

Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003,Page 8

In the last presidential election, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) exposed the Chung Hsing Bills Finance case, which caused a dramatic change in the election situation. James Soong saw his support rate fall drastically and finally lost the election by a narrow margin. Prosecutors decided not to indict Soong and the KMT dropped the case, but then the lawyers asked for a re-investigation. Former president Lee Teng-hui has recently testified at the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office.

It is difficult to predict how this politically sensitive case, which is very likely to influence another election, will turn out. If the prosecutors indict Soong before next year's presidential election, then Soong, the People First Party (PFP) and the entire pan-blue camp will use the claim of political persecution as a major campaign strategy. An indictment would be deleterious to the blue camp, because the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government apparently cannot manipulate the prosecutors to either indict him or not.

The public's judgment is already very clear. According to an opinion poll conducted by TVBS on Oct. 24, 53 percent of the public believes Soong has not clarified the matter. Only 16 percent believes he has, while 31 percent has no opinion. The Chung Hsing case is obviously a major test for Soong. It definitely has an impact on the Lien-Soong ticket, but ultimately it is not the most crucial factor.

There are apparently more important factors behind the continuing slide in support rates for the Lien-Soong ticket. In the final analysis, the problem lies with the political characters of Lien and Soong.

The two have been adapting to their roles of presidential and vice presidential candidate. But their basic political characters have not seen any fundamental change. At best, Lien has merely shifted from a gentle appearance to being relatively more abusive. But Lien started heaping abuse on people in the previous election. Soong's criticism of Lien at the time was right on the mark -- he said Lien's special quality is that he does not take any stances on any matter. Soong also stressed that "a person who has no views of his own cannot be a president." Does Lien have any views or stances now? He doesn't, in Soong's eyes, as one can clearly see in Soong's raw obstructionism during the Legislative Yuan's review of Grand Justice nominees in the previous legislative session.

Soong is very domineering, believing that he can control the country by adopting the traditional style of being close to the people. He almost views himself as a wise emperor. He accumulated massive political resources during his days as KMT secretary-general and provincial governor. Many political figures yield obedience to him.

In a democratic era, such an attitude in itself will be faced with a major predicament. The PFP has found it difficult to break free from the predicament of a one-man party. While calling Soong a man with "a wolf's heart and a dog's lungs" in March 2000, Lien also ridiculed his camp as "a small gang talking about being above parties and factions." Soong's single-minded wish to be a wise emperor in a democratic era has a direct bearing on the PFP's failure to widen its scope.

There is a fundamental contradiction in the cooperation between a man with no views and a man with a wolf's heart and a dog's lungs. Even if they win the presidential election, they will not be able to resolve the problems created by such political characters. Lien and Soong need to change their political characters thoroughly if they are really sincere about taking up the heavy responsibility of leading the country.

Chiu Hei-yuan is a professor of sociology at National Taiwan University and a member of the Taipei Society.