WaPo has the tale via AP:Taiwan's former president admitted Thursday that he broke the law by not truthfully declaring campaign donations he received, and said that his wife sent an unspecified amount of money abroad.Yesterday these allegations were being denied. Today they are being confirmed.
Chen Shui-bian's statement followed a lawmaker's allegations earlier in the day that Chen's son and daughter-in-law moved $31 million to Switzerland in 2007. Hung Hsiu-chu of the ruling Nationalists said the money was then forwarded to the Cayman Islands.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry confirmed Thursday that Swiss authorities had asked the island to cooperate in an unspecified case.
"We have passed the Swiss request to relevant agencies," Foreign Ministry spokesman Henry Chen said.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Chen admitted that he had erred by not fully disclosing donations he received in four political campaigns beginning in 1994, including his two successful bids for the presidency in 2000 and 2004.
"I did something not allowed by the law," he said.
Chen also said his wife sent an undisclosed amount of money to an unspecified foreign location, but insisted that the funds would be used to underwrite "Taiwanese diplomatic work" he would conduct in his post-presidential career.
"At the beginning of this year, my wife told me she wired money overseas left from previous campaigns," he said. "She didn't let me know beforehand."
In a written statement, Hung said that earlier this year Swiss federal prosecutors ordered the seizure of all papers related to the bank accounts of Chen's daughter-in-law, Huang Jui-ching.
Hung said that in early 2007, $21 million was wired to two accounts Huang controlled in Switzerland, before being moved to the Cayman Islands. Later in the year, an additional $10 million was moved to the Islands from a Swiss account controlled by Chen's son, Chen Chih-chung.
Nicely timed by the Blue team again, just as rallies are being organized by the Greens to hack on Ma for harming Taiwan in so many different ways.
Now the question becomes "which donations were not fully disclosed?" I can think of quite a few allegations (like that of Chen Yu-hao, for example). Stay tuned, I think we'll see a steady drip-drip of this stuff. The KMT is going to try to hang Chen on the DPP for as long as possible.
[Taiwan]
16 comments:
Trying to pin this crime on his wife is not an effective strategy unless the wife is willing to go along with it. From what I know about Wu's personality, I doubt she will willingly go to prison for her husband.
Chen should be blaming the "Blue team" by insisting this investigation is politically motivated.
Yes, the KMT will tar the DPP with Chen for as long as possible. But then again the DPP hasn't done much to distance itself from Chen. The DPP should have made a clean break from Chen after the 2008 legislative election disaster.
"Nicely timed by the Blue team"
If the Blue team knew about the Swiss govt's investigation of Chen and withheld this news for maximum political effect, I think they would have picked something a little more threatening to the Blues them than some rallies.
It was the editors of Next/Apple Daily who decided to break the story at this time, not the Blue team.
Not disclosing is against the law, but the funny thing about Taiwanese campaign donations is that they don't need to be returned or spent after the campaign is over. But this guy needs a clue. Given how the Blues have been acting, did he really think it would be wise to "give them a reason"? He didn't see the problems with campaign donations not going towards... his campaign?
But let's pass a law fellas and do a full re-examination of everyone that has been keeping campaign funds, not just focusing on Chen as if he's the only politician in Taiwan.
I am laughing out loud at your commentary!! Mr. M.T. lives in Taiwan, but he doesn't seem to watch any Taiwanese news at all. Chen was on TV admitting his money laundering scheme plus 100 reasons why he did it. Yeah.. blame 阿扁's corruption and money laundering scandal on the "Blue" team. Why not? 阿扁 is blaming everything on his wife, 阿珍. It's always someone else's fault. KMT did this; KMT did that, so it's ok for 阿扁 to launder $30M. 阿扁 even said it on TV himself today: he is laundering this money to promote democracy in the future!!! hahahaha...三歲小孩, including stupid 阿兜啊,才會被阿扁騙. Don't blame it on KMT this time, because Swiss government alerted Taiwan when they were alarmed about the money laundering by Chen's daughter in law.
hmmm.. Mr. M.T. seems to assume that anyone who criticizes DPP or Chen is automatically part of the Blue team. Mr. M.T.'s idea of democracy is that no one can say anything negative about DPP, or they have to belong the KMT machine. Educated Taiwanese have been very disappointed by Chen and DPP in the past 4 years especially. Chen and DPP was elected by Taiwanese in 2000 partly because of his slogan 「清廉、愛台灣」and we expected him to clean up the corruption. 選他去抓鬼,結果他卻被鬼抓了- this has turned out to be such a big joke. DPP machine uses 愛台灣 to divide the Taiwanese society and to justify their corruption.
Taiwanese voted Mr. Ma this time, because we have woken from this independence pipe dream and the dream that DPP is more 清廉 than KMT. We finally realized that Taiwan independence to these DPP clowns has been a tool to achieve more political power for themselves and Chen has certainly used it to 拼他們自己家的經濟. That is why Chen didn't have the guts to declare independence in the past 8 years. Can anyone with some intelligence see why he only talks a good talk about independence? With so much money stashed away, why would he risk war. He can't enjoy living in his 200坪信義豪宅 if China attacked and destroyed Taiwan. Just like what is going on in South Ossetia and Georgia right now. U.S. is NOT going to do squad for Taiwan if China attacks.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/151970
I consider the types of weapons that Americans are selling to Taiwan are junks (破銅爛鐵), because those weapons can't even defend Taiwan for more than a week. The weapons are all going to turn into a pile of junk in a week if China attacks, because Taiwan can't keep up with this arms race. Hey, unless our American uncle will finally let Taiwan buy or develop some REAL weapon like the N-bombs.. Only mutually assured destruction (MAD) will give China pause if Taiwan do declare independence. During the cold war and even now, Americans sure don't think they could fight Russians without some serious N-bombs themselves. So..short of selling Taiwan some N-bombs or technology to develop N-bombs, why waste more Taiwanese hard earned tax $ to buy more useless weapons from American that will certainly turn into junks and Taiwanese strawberry army will still surrender in a week!!!! Of course, Mr. M.T. is only looking after his American interest, not Taiwanese interest, so the more weapons the more money for American money, the merrier for Americans! Mr. M.T. will be on that AIT roof top to be airlifted out of Taiwan during a war with China anyway. Didn't American embassy evacuate Americans from Georgia first and will probably not sent any GI Joe to fight Russians for Georgians. :)
Only fools will trust everything that KMT, DPP, or Americans say at face value. Actions speak louder than words. So don't spin any more Taiwan independence pipe dream here. It is NOT going to happen.
BTW, anyone who can't read my Chinese obviously are not Chinese or Taiwanese and have no stake in the future of Taiwan. You can save your smart ass comments if you are not ready to fight for and die for Taiwanese independence and a war with China. You have nothing to lose in a war between Taiwan and China, therefore you have no say.
It was the editors of Next/Apple Daily who decided to break the story at this time, not the Blue team.
The leaks from the financial system had to come from someone sympathetic to the Blues. Ma's unpopularity is the thing they are trying to divert attention from.
The DPP should have made a clean break from Chen after the 2008 legislative election disaster.
*sigh* It would have been so easy to stay clean for just eight years....
Michael
If I understand it right, Chen is admitting he not only broke the law, but he didn't do it in the wink-wink fashion normally used to hide diplomatic funds as he had previously claimed. At best he 'insisted that the funds would be used to underwrite "Taiwanese diplomatic work" he would conduct in his post-presidential career.' WTF? he's saving the money for diplomatic work after he's president? I suppose it might be easier believe had he kept the money inside the country. As it is, I don't konw what to think. I have trouble believing he would be corrupt. I suppose I find it a little easier to believe his wife might have acted corruptly, perhaps out of a feeling that she deserves some compensation - she's still in a wheelchair after all from a possible KMT attack and her daughters life has been made extremely difficult. But I really don't know what to think. Maybe they are that stupid. He certainly made what looked like some stupid governing mistakes. Right off the bat he canceled a nuclear power plant and then showed they could be rolled by changing his mind.
Really, I don't know what to think.
At the risk of responding to a troll...
Taiwanese voted Mr. Ma this time, because we have woken from this independence pipe dream
... which is clearly why Ma ran a campaign where he acknowledged the right of Taiwanese to decide their own future.
Can anyone with some intelligence see why he only talks a good talk about independence?
Irrespective of what Mr. Chen's positions, if you can't tell the difference between declaring independence and abolishing the ROC now and reserving the right to do so in the future, then you're just as obtuse as you claim the pan-Greens are. But hey, taking extreme positions is fun. So, we should expect the KMT to unify China under the ROC banner in the next 4 - 8 years if we go by your standard.
I consider the types of weapons that Americans are selling to Taiwan are junks (破銅爛鐵)... because those weapons can't even defend Taiwan for more than a week.
Then why don't you tell that to the KMT led government which is now trying to procure them after they were against them for the last 8 years? As for how effective they might be, the Ministry of National Defense (hardly a bastion of DPP supporters) seems to disagree with you.
Or do you just not understand the concept of deterrence? There are thieves out there who can pick door locks. Does that mean that locking up your house is a waste of time and money?
why waste more Taiwanese hard earned tax $ to buy more useless weapons from American that will certainly turn into junks and Taiwanese strawberry army will still surrender in a week!!!!
Fortunately, the armed forces (not to mention most Taiwanese, or if you prefer - ROC citizens, irrespective of political bent) have always had significantly more backbone than you are showing.
BTW, anyone who can't read my Chinese obviously are not Chinese or Taiwanese and have no stake in the future of Taiwan. You can save your smart ass comments if you are not ready to fight for and die for Taiwanese independence and a war with China. You have nothing to lose in a war between Taiwan and China, therefore you have no say.
我不見得認同 T 先生所有的看法，但是人家自願來台灣，在台灣結婚生子，成家立業。對台灣未來的關心與信心不輸土生土長的台灣人。 如果這樣還沒資格發表對台灣時事跟後續發展的意見的話，那麼那些每逢選舉才由國外各個中華會館安排回台灣投票的僑民，或平時已經定居對岸的台商豈不是更沒資格嗎？如果你的標準是 "ready to fight for and die for Taiwanese independence and a war with China" 的話，那麼所有免役、替代役以及沒有服自願役的女性不就應該褫奪公權嗎？
你英文寫的不錯，應該有在國外待過吧？希望你當時遇到的外國人比你之前 po 的回應還開朗。
我不見得認同 T 先生所有的看法，但是人家自願來台灣，在台灣結婚生子，成家立業。對台灣未來的關心與信心不輸土生土長的台灣人。如果這樣還沒資格發表對台灣時事跟後續發展的意見的話，那麼那些每逢選舉才由國外各個中華會館安排回台灣投票的僑民，或平時已經定居對岸的台商豈不是更沒資格嗎？如果你的標準是 "ready to fight for and die for Taiwanese independence and a war with China" 的話，那麼所有免役、替代役以及沒有服自願役的女性不就應該褫奪公權嗎？
你英文寫的不錯，應該有在國外待過吧？希望你當時遇到的外國人比你之前 po 的回應還開朗
Keep listening to Michael will be the end of Taiwan...seriously. Again, Chen really doesn't have any illegal money in the bank (/sarcasm). If you live (lived) in the US, you will understand why I know Michael is full of sxxT! Of course, Michael is free to express his opinions (wrong opinions mostly).
Keep listening to Michael will be the end of Taiwan...seriously.
Like I said, I don't necessarily agree with all his opinions, but I respect him enough that I'm willing to at least listen. And coming from a rather blue family I can easily produce a long list of things from that side of the aisle that will be the end of Taiwan as well.
Again, Chen really doesn't have any illegal money in the bank (/sarcasm).
And the KMT is perfectly clean, and the economy is doing splendidly since Ma's election. There were no problems in Taiwan before 1988, and Taiwan Garrison Command only arrested bad people. The ROC looks like a 秋海棠, and the nation of Mongolia does not exist. And 吾黨所宗 means 我們全體國民. And all that is perfectly true and not at all intended as sarcasm.
Not that that has anything to do with what I mentioned in my last post, but hey, since we're on the subject of partisan bullshit...
If you live (lived) in the US, you will understand why I know Michael is full of sxxT!
If living in the US and Taiwan has taught me anything, it's that we are all full of shit to varying degrees. Most of us just don't realize it. Michael does from time to time, which is pretty rare these days.
Oh, and assuming that everyone simply MUST share your opinion on something as controversial as politics or be a raving moron is the epitome of the narrowmindedness that I've grown to dislike no matter where in the world I go.
Of course, Michael is free to express his opinions (wrong opinions mostly).
We are all free to express our opinions, no matter what they are. And frankly as a supporter of liberal democracy and someone who will be doing his national service in about a year or so with plans of permanently settling in Taiwan alongside friends and family who are already there, I'd like to keep it that way.
Well-said, Haitien, but beware of not just trolls, but also "concern trolls" and bigoted anonymous trolls bearing straw men.
Tim Maddog
And the KMT is perfectly clean, and the economy is doing splendidly since Ma's election. There were no problems in Taiwan before 1988, and Taiwan Garrison Command only arrested bad people. The ROC looks like a 秋海棠, and the nation of Mongolia does not exist. And 吾黨所宗 means 我們全體國民. And all that is perfectly true and not at all intended as sarcasm.
I never said KMT is clean. The only statement I made is that "I think Ma is very clean by politician standards." Also, he allows the "due process" to go through unlike DPP crying political prosecutions even before any due process have been done. I understand your statements about the "Republic of China." Unfortunately, both KMT and DPP (some at least; if not most) are all living in the past.
And frankly as a supporter of liberal democracy and someone who will be doing his national service in about a year or so with plans of permanently settling in Taiwan alongside friends and family who are already there, I'd like to keep it that way.
First, good for you. However, I want you to know that Michael does not support liberal democrat. He is more like a South American populist (because he tolerates corruptions and justifies the end regardless of means) at best in my personal opinions. A real liberal democrat will not say "perfect timing by the blue" when his/her favor Taiwan's son admitting having 30 million US dollars in a Swiss bank (wait, he doesn't have it; it is in his daughter in-law's name :P. Plus, it is all my wife's fault).
P.S. Oh yea, I am full of S.... However, so of my s..t, did come true huh? Next up, Taiwan index 6000!
Certainly, stashing 31 million in Swiss banks would be seen as a way to hide illegal money especially if you have no business interests to support that kind of income.
Chen and his wife have resigned from the DPP. It may be to save face and embarrassment or it could have other motivations such as starting another party with the truly leftist elements of the DPP. Time will tell.
Chen could emigrate to the States which is another possibility.
The laws surrounding use of campaign funds will get a workout at the very least. Reform is the answer and all politicians in Taiwan have their finger in the pot. Bribery takes many abstract forms in Chinese culture.
This cuts across party lines. Ma was on the hot seat for money usage not so long ago.
" real liberal democrat will not say "perfect timing by the blue" when his/her favor Taiwan's son admitting having 30 million US dollars in a Swiss bank"
If I am remebering the thread in question, I don't think anyone said that Chen did not do anything wrong. The point was that the money had not been found yet, so there was a case for optimism. Now that more substantial evidence has been found, there is no longer that case for optimism.
"Nicely timed by the Blue team"
Since when is Chen a member of the blue team.
I find it revolting that you are defending the undefensible up to this day? Shame on you. When Chen's old comrades have long realized his corrupted ways you are still holding on to him. Yeah, it's all pan-blue's grand and evil scheme. But guess what? Taiwanese people is over with DPP. DPP is out, that's it. Lin Tsuo-shui said it: DPP will not benifit from KMT's recent lost in popularity. If we are voting KMT out next time, we will not vote for DPP. They are out, you are out. Go write some moldy history book telling the proud history of Taiwanese Culloden. Go lie in ashes.
"Nicely timed by the Blue team"
Since when is Chen a member of the blue team.
I find it revolting that you are defending the undefensible up to this day? Shame on you. When Chen's old comrades have long realized his corrupted ways you are still holding on to him. Yeah, it's all pan-blue's grand and evil scheme. But guess what? Taiwanese people is over with DPP. DPP is out, that's it. Lin Tsuo-shui said it: DPP will not benifit from KMT's recent lost in popularity. If we are voting KMT out next time, we will not vote for DPP. They are out, you are out. Go write some moldy history book telling the proud history of Taiwanese Culloden. Go lie in ashes.
Since when is Chen a member of the blue team.
I find it revolting that you are defending the undefensible up to this day? Shame on you.
Do anonymous posters take stupid pills before posting here...?
Anonymous insults, inability to read English, and false claims. The trifecta!
Michael
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