Tsai sworn in as head of defense

He took over from Gen. Lee Tien-yu, who resigned to take responsibility for the controversial founding of the company, which has already signed a purchase contract without the knowledge of the Legislative Yuan.

After his swearing-in ceremony, witnessed by President Chen Shui-bian in the morning, Tsai went to visit Alex Fei, Kuomintang legislative caucus whip, to dispel rumors that he might require officers and armed forces personnel to stay on duty on March 22.

Voters will go to the polls on that day to elect a new president. On March 20, 2004, however, at least 100,000 service personnel were ordered to stay in the barracks and could not vote in the presidential election.

After his meeting with Fei at the latter’s Legislative Yuan office, Tsai said he could not say whether Taiwan Goal would be deactivated on or before Friday as was demanded by the opposition Kuomintang.

The Kuomintang calls Taiwan Goal an illegal setup, giving the Friday deadline for its deactivation. The opposition party also demands that Chiou I-jen step down as vice premier for masterminding the firm’s establishment last year.

In particular, Fei and his Kuomintang colleagues are worried that Taiwan Goal, after its demise as a front, might continue to operate to win illegal profits.

They all believe Tsai was made the new defense minister upon the strong recommendation of the vice premier. Both belong to the now nominally defunct New Tide faction of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

“So far as the disbanding of Taiwan Goal is concerned,” Tsai told reporters, “Premier Chang Chun-hsiung has made it clear over the past two days.”

Chang said Taiwan Goal would be disbanded as soon as practicable. But, he added, the disbanding has to be completed in full accordance with company law.

That means Wu Nai-jen, board chairman of Taiwan Goal, has to call a plenary board meeting to take a decision to disband the company.

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