Chen Claims Innocence in Embezzlement Case
United Daily News Editorial, April 7, 2022
Former President Chen Shui-bian once again stepped on the red line of medical parole rule to challenge the Judicial Yuan and the Ministry of Justice. This time Chen not only traveled to Taipei to hold an international press conference in person, but also tried to reverse the case of embezzlement of the “state affairs fund.” The confidential diplomatic expenditures, “to be buried in the grave,” were all spread out under the sun.
The former president emphasized that the total expenditures for public affairs are larger than the intakes for public affairs, emphasizing that there was absolutely no embezzlement. However, he didn’t go to the court to defend himself and his family, but instead, he held an international press conference to raise his grievances, pressure the court, and challenge the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen. Chen not only wants to overturn cases that are not yet final but also seek amnesty for final cases.
However, Chen revealed 21 items of classified diplomatic and financial rewards and gifts, including secret diplomatic works toward the United States and Japan. Whether the exposure will cause a diplomatic storm or affect further operations is worthy of attention. And these diplomatic secrets, which were originally stated in the court, have all been revealed. Chen’s revelation of state secrets is worth investigating, especially that he used the state affairs fund to sponsor the campaign funds of United States Congress members.
This is a clear violation of United States law. How can the American people accept the intervention of a foreign head of state in the U.S. congressional elections? The sensitivity of this to U.S.-Taiwan relations is self-evident.
It comes at a time when Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the House of is about to lead a delegation to visit Taiwan. No matter whether the United States conducts investigations based on this, wouldn’t the Tsai administration feel embarrassed?
However, the Tsai administration has loudly proclaimed that “foreign forces interfered in elections” in recent years. It turns out that former President Chen is the most important negative teaching material. “Learn how to govern the country from Chen?”
Although Chen’s wife Wu Shu-chen had been convicted for graft by the judiciary, he said that his wife “just doesn’t know how to manage money, it is not embezzlement.” Now everyone suddenly realizes that the Tsai administration’s claims that “over purchase is not smuggling,” and that “power failure is not power shortage,” and other classic phrases inherited Chen’s spirit of governance.
The press asked the former president whether the press conference was approved by the Taichung Prison Agency of Corrections. Chen answered domineeringly “not to be addicted to technical questions” and “this is too trivial,” asking those insignificant things is a contempt of Chen. To Chen, diplomatic secrecy and money involvement in American elections are all technical, trivial matters. As for whether Taiwan still enjoys the rule of law and judicial prestige, just let go of it. Don’t underestimate Chen.