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Chen Shui-bian thanks
Taipei mayor
HEATED DEBATE: Hau Lung-bin’s statement of
support boosts the campaign to free the former president and comes amid a
potential key KMT leadership contest
By Mo Yan-chih / Staff reporter
Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday expressed his thanks to Taipei
Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) for his public endorsement of Chen’s medical parole
request and applauded Hau for his courage and vision in raising the issue.
Chen’s son, Chen Chi-chung (陳致中), yesterday visited his father in prison and
said the former president praised Hau for “possessing the character and manners
of a national leader” by proposing to grant him medical parole.
“My father said Mayor Hau’s proposal would promote social reconciliation and
reduce political confrontation,” Chen Chi-chung said, adding that the former
president has written a letter to Hau expressing his gratitude.
Chen Shui-bian is serving a 17-and-a-half-year prison term on corruption
charges. During his period of incarceration, he has complained about several
physical ailments, including chest pains.
Hau said on Tuesday that releasing Chen on parole for medical treatment could
help bring harmony to Taiwanese society.
Responding to Chen Shui-bian’s statement, Hau yesterday played down the
political impact and said that he aimed to end social and political divides
through the proposal.
“I support the proposal for former president Chen to be granted medical parole
... I hope [it] can help heal scars and end political confrontation. It’s not
only about helping the former president,” he said.
Medical parole for Chen Shui-bian would serve as the first step to more positive
interaction between the pan-blue and pan-green camps, he said, calling for the
two camps to cooperate and focus time and energy on economic issues.
Hau said that his endorsement of Chen Shui-bian’s medical parole was not
intended to be a political move connected to a presidential bid in the 2016
presidential elections.
As one of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) potential 2016 presidential
candidates, Hau’s comments have sparked a heated discussion as his stance strays
from the official party line. There are rumors that Hau may stand in the KMT’s
chairman elections next year which would pit him against President Ma Ying-jeou
(馬英九).
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