Premier likely to sue ex-DPP lawmaker

Wu said if Lee, the standard bearer of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the Nantou County magistrate election, has in hand any evidence attesting to his colluding with reformed inmate Chiang Chin-liang, all he has to do is open his hand to show the evidence.

“In order not to press him too much, I allow three days for Lee to produce proof. I just want to see whether Lee can ready or 'fabricate' evidence within 72 hours,” Wu said.

Wu made the remarks when asked by reporters whether he would file a libel lawsuit against Lee if he fails to come up with solid proof to support his allegations against the premier.

Lee alleged that Wu and re-election-seeking Nantou Magistrate Lee Chao-ching had visited Bali last December with former inmate Chiang Chin-liang to negotiate a deal protecting Chiang's gravel mining business in Nantou, and to settle candidates for the county council's leadership posts.

The allegations forced the premier to hold a press conference last Friday to refute Lee's accusation.

During the conference, Wu confirmed the trip to Bali with Lee Chao-ching and Chiang mainly to help promote Nantou's tourism industry.

Wu told reporters that he will resign if Lee Wen-chung can produce proof in three days to back up his allegations, but if the ex-lawmaker fails to do so, he must apologize or face a defamation lawsuit.

Meanwhile, Huang Wen-chun, chief of the Chaotun chapter of the DPP, said yesterday that she hadn't been forced by Chiang Chin-liang to make disparaging remarks about DPP's Nantou magistrate election candidate Lee Wen-chung, adding that she didn't care how the DPP will take disciplinary action against her.

Huang joined a press conference held last Friday by Chiang to deny Lee Wen-chung's accusations that Premier Wu Den-yih, Nantou County Magistrate Lee Chao-ching, and Huang traveled to Bali last December mainly to engage in illegal matters.

At the conference, Huang claimed that she had previously arranged a meeting between Lee Wen-chung and Chiang, during which Lee had asked for Chiang's backing.

The DPP is slated to take disciplinary action against Huang on Nov. 12, and may expel her from the party for unfavorable remarks she made against Lee Wen-chung.

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