FORMER PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN DETAINED ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TAIPEI 001603 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2018 TAGS: PGOV TW SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN DETAINED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES TAIPEI 00001603 001.2 OF 003 *****ZFR ZFR ZFR RESENT AS TAIPEI 1604 ZFR ZFR ***** TAIPEI 00001603 002 OF 003 before his arrest, Chen told a press conference that he expected to be detained the next day. As he was entering the prosecutors' office, Chen bid farewell to his supporters, telling them he was headed to the "Bastille," and that he was a sacrificial offering by the KMT to "placate Chinese anger" over the recent demonstrations against Chen Yunlin. Thousands of police were deployed and a large number of barricades set up to prevent violent incidents between impassioned supporters and critics of the former president. In the event, however, the numbers of supporters and detractors turning out at the prosecutors' office and the court were quite small. DPP Reactions -------------- ¶5. (C) A number of DPP legislators accompanied Chen to the prosecutors' office, court, and hospital, and this morning the DPP caucus held a press conference. DPP legislators argued that the government's pre-indictment arrest and handcuffing of Chen was unwarranted, and was part of a pattern of efforts by the KMT government to discredit and humiliate the DPP. They noted a large number of similar recent detentions of current and former DPP officials (including two county magistrates and nine other persons connected to Chen's case),pointing out that the prosecutors have not taken such actions against KMT officials. The DPP argues that prosecutors misuse such detentions to try to pressure people into giving evidence against their will. Some legislators predicted the arrest of Chen will further polarize Taiwan's society. While criticizing the prosecutors and the KMT government, DPP legislators were careful to maintain their distance from Chen's legal problems, stressing their hope that judicial proceedings would be fair and impartial. This afternoon, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen issued a statement criticizing leaks by the prosecutors and prejudicial statements by President Ma and Justice Minister Wang that could turn the judiciary into a political tool. The statement also called on DPP supporters to remain calm and rational. KMT Reactions -------------- ¶6. (C) Some of the more outspoken KMT legislators reacted gleefully yesterday at news of Chen's arrest. Today, reactions by KMT officials have been much more circumspect. President Ma said the court's decision to detain Chen may serve as a lesson and reminder for all and that people should feel sad not happy. Ma also urged people to wait calmly for the court to deliver its final verdict. Some KMT leaders suggested that the Taiwan people should trust the judiciary and give it room to handle the case impartially and independently. Some KMT legislators expressed hope that Chen's detention would not increase confrontation between KMT and DPP supporters and that the DPP would not play up the issue for political purposes. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Over the past several months, many details of the supposedly confidential investigations of Chen have been leaked to the public through the pro-Blue media. As a result, the detention of Chen does not come as a surprise and Chen's claim that he is a political prisoner, not a corrupt politician, will have limited resonance. However, coupled with the numerous recent detentions of other current and past DPP officials and the DPP's demonstrations against the visit of the PRC's Chen Yunlin, Chen Shui-bian's arrest will fuel the DPP sense that the judicial process is currently being used by the KMT to intimidate the DPP. The new DPP leadership finds itself in an awkward position, since many privately concede that Chen may be guilty of some offenses, but the overall case is also seen as aimed at discrediting the party, forcing Tsai and other prominent DPP members to TAIPEI 00001603 003 OF 003 openly criticize the proceedings. SYOUNG