Apology after 'Chen-not-shot' claim

Taiwanese Defence Minister Chen Chao-min apologised to the public yesterday for claiming that former president Chen Shui-bian had not been shot on the eve of the island's presidential election four years ago.

'Because of my improper remarks, it has caused a stir in society and hurt the image of the armed forces. For this, I feel sorry, and I would humbly accept all comments over this issue and hope this case can come to an end,' he said during a news conference.

In a meeting of the legislature late last week he alleged that Mr Chen's abdominal wound was not caused during his re-election campaign trail. He did not say where and when he thought the wound was inflicted but hinted it occurred after Mr Chen was taken to the hospital for treatment.

His remarks infuriated Mr Chen, who has taken legal action against the minister. Mr Chen is to officially file a libel suit against the defence minister today and ask for NT$10 million (HK$2.56 million) in compensation.

On March 19, 2004, Mr Chen and his deputy, Annette Lu Hsiu-lien, were shot and lightly wounded by an assailant while campaigning in his hometown city Tainan. One shot grazed Mr Chen's abdomen and another hit Ms Lu's knee.

The incident was widely broadcast by underground radio stations that supported Mr Chen's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, which reportedly said the shooting was an assassination attempt by the mainland and asked people to vote for Mr Chen to uphold justice.