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Comic snub angers DPP caucus
By Rich Chang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party
Legislator Gao Jyh-peng, speaking to reporters in Taipei yesterday, displays a
comic book history of the armed forces published by the Ministry of National
Defense that fails to mention the contributions of former presidents Lee
Teng-hui or Chen Shui-bian.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
caucus yesterday slammed the Ministry of National Defense (MND) for publishing a
comic book of the nation’s military history that failed to include the
contributions of former presidents Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) and Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
The DPP caucus told a press conference that the book, Eternal Glory, which was
published to celebrate the Republic of China (ROC) military’s centennial,
distorted history.
The caucus demanded that the ministry withdraw and re-edit the book, adding that
it would ask the Control Yuan to investigate.
DPP Legislator Gao Jyh-peng (高志鵬) said the book was mainly published to
“flatter” President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) by portraying him as kind and loving to
the military and the public.
However, the book does not mention Lee’s and Chen’s contributions to the
military, although Lee led the country for nearly 12 years and Chen for eight,
Gao said.
The bulk of Taiwan’s -modern air force, including its F-16s, was acquired during
Lee’s presidency.
DPP Legislator Tsai Huang--liang (蔡煌瑯) said that during its eight years in
office, the Chen administration transformed the military and amended laws to
make it answerable to the nation rather than to a political party.
“Taiwan’s military should have already been nationalized, but it seems the
military has now returned to the period when it answered to the party,” Gao
said.
In addition, Lee directed the military during rescue and relief efforts after
the 921 Earthquake, Tsai said.
However, none of those developments are mentioned in the comic book.
Ministry spokesman Lo Shao-ho (羅紹和) said a comic book was not meant to be as
detailed as a normal book, which could better explain military matters.
Because the number of pages in the comic book was limited, it was impossible to
mention every president, Lo said, adding that the book did mention Lee’s order
to the military to launch rescue work after the 921 Earthquake.
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