Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TAIPEI352
2009-03-26 10:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:
SUBSTANTIVE TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT CHEN
how-toVZCZCXRO0420 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH DE RUEHIN #0352 0851013 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 261013Z MAR 09 FM AIT TAIPEI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1224 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9064 RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 3045 RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU 0191 RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0506 RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 2502 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 6992
C O N F I D E N T I A L TAIPEI 000352
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW CH
SUBJECT: SUBSTANTIVE TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT CHEN
SHUI-BIAN BEGINS
REF: KIM-PARKER 03/26/09 E-MAIL
Classified By: The Director for reasons 1.4(b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TAIPEI 000352
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW CH
SUBJECT: SUBSTANTIVE TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT CHEN
SHUI-BIAN BEGINS
REF: KIM-PARKER 03/26/09 E-MAIL
Classified By: The Director for reasons 1.4(b/d).
1. (SBU) Summary: Following two months of pretrial hearings,
the Taipei District Court opened the substantive portion of
former President Chen Shui-bian's trial on March 26. On the
first day, the court heard testimony accusing Chen of
accepting bribes in connection with the Lungtan land deal,
one of several charges, including money laundering,
embezzlement, and extortion, against the former president.
If convicted on all charges, Chen could potentially face a
life sentence. In a statement released on the eve of his
trial, Chen reiterated claims that his prosecution was
politically motivated and that his rights had been violated.
Current predictions are that a verdict may be handed down by
mid-April, though either side can appeal twice more before
the process concludes. End Summary.
First Day of Chen Trial: Lungtan Land Deal
--------------
2. (SBU) In the morning session of Chen Shui-bian's trial,
presiding judge Tsai Shou-hsun ruled that former first lady
Wu Shu-jen's classmate and friend Tsai Mei-li's testimony
about alleged kickbacks received in connection with the
Lungtan land deal was inadmissible because Tsai's recent
diagnosis of cancer could have affected her mental state when
she testified before prosecutors. Earlier, Chen's lawyers
had demanded the court dismiss the testimonies of all
witnesses, claiming they were coerced or coached to make
statements unfavorable to Chen and his family. Judge Tsai,
however, did allow into evidence testimony by witnesses other
than Tsai Mei-li. This afternoon, Chen will have an
opportunity to confront Taiwan Cement Chairman Koo Chen-yun,
who is alleged to have transferred NTD 400 million (USD 11.8
million) through go-betweens to the former first family as a
"commission" for the land deal. Wu has argued that the money
was a political donation, not a bribe.
Chen Accuses Ma and KMT of Political Purges
--------------
3. (SBU) In a statement released by his office at a press
conference on Wednesday (ref),Chen argued that the case
against him was a coordinated, politically motivated effort
by the Ma administration and the KMT intended to placate
China and improve cross-Strait ties. Chen acknowledged
receiving political contributions (vice bribes or kickbacks),
which were transferred overseas by former First Lady Wu
Shu-jen, but continued to deny any detailed knowledge of his
financial affairs, instead maintaining Wu transferred the
funds abroad without his knowledge. He argued that while
political contributions were a sensitive issue for all
politicians and a flaw that should be corrected, they should
not be used as a tool for political attacks. Chen called on
the international community and the people of Taiwan to stand
up against the developing "neo-authoritarian" pro-China
regime.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) By claiming persecution, Chen hopes to maintain
support from the Deep Green base and to shift public
attention from corruption to politics. Chen's criticisms of
the judicial process have some resonance on the Green side of
the political spectrum here.
YOUNG
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW CH
SUBJECT: SUBSTANTIVE TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT CHEN
SHUI-BIAN BEGINS
REF: KIM-PARKER 03/26/09 E-MAIL
Classified By: The Director for reasons 1.4(b/d).
1. (SBU) Summary: Following two months of pretrial hearings,
the Taipei District Court opened the substantive portion of
former President Chen Shui-bian's trial on March 26. On the
first day, the court heard testimony accusing Chen of
accepting bribes in connection with the Lungtan land deal,
one of several charges, including money laundering,
embezzlement, and extortion, against the former president.
If convicted on all charges, Chen could potentially face a
life sentence. In a statement released on the eve of his
trial, Chen reiterated claims that his prosecution was
politically motivated and that his rights had been violated.
Current predictions are that a verdict may be handed down by
mid-April, though either side can appeal twice more before
the process concludes. End Summary.
First Day of Chen Trial: Lungtan Land Deal
--------------
2. (SBU) In the morning session of Chen Shui-bian's trial,
presiding judge Tsai Shou-hsun ruled that former first lady
Wu Shu-jen's classmate and friend Tsai Mei-li's testimony
about alleged kickbacks received in connection with the
Lungtan land deal was inadmissible because Tsai's recent
diagnosis of cancer could have affected her mental state when
she testified before prosecutors. Earlier, Chen's lawyers
had demanded the court dismiss the testimonies of all
witnesses, claiming they were coerced or coached to make
statements unfavorable to Chen and his family. Judge Tsai,
however, did allow into evidence testimony by witnesses other
than Tsai Mei-li. This afternoon, Chen will have an
opportunity to confront Taiwan Cement Chairman Koo Chen-yun,
who is alleged to have transferred NTD 400 million (USD 11.8
million) through go-betweens to the former first family as a
"commission" for the land deal. Wu has argued that the money
was a political donation, not a bribe.
Chen Accuses Ma and KMT of Political Purges
--------------
3. (SBU) In a statement released by his office at a press
conference on Wednesday (ref),Chen argued that the case
against him was a coordinated, politically motivated effort
by the Ma administration and the KMT intended to placate
China and improve cross-Strait ties. Chen acknowledged
receiving political contributions (vice bribes or kickbacks),
which were transferred overseas by former First Lady Wu
Shu-jen, but continued to deny any detailed knowledge of his
financial affairs, instead maintaining Wu transferred the
funds abroad without his knowledge. He argued that while
political contributions were a sensitive issue for all
politicians and a flaw that should be corrected, they should
not be used as a tool for political attacks. Chen called on
the international community and the people of Taiwan to stand
up against the developing "neo-authoritarian" pro-China
regime.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) By claiming persecution, Chen hopes to maintain
support from the Deep Green base and to shift public
attention from corruption to politics. Chen's criticisms of
the judicial process have some resonance on the Green side of
the political spectrum here.
YOUNG