Graft-tainted Taiwan ex-president seeks money to keep office open

Sep 1, 2010, 13:14 GMT

Taipei - Chen Shui-bian, a former president of Taiwan jailed for corruption, announced Wednesday the launch of a fund-raising drive to finance the continued operation of his office.

The announcement came after the government of his successor scrapped Chen's benefits, a move Chen blasted as part of a political witch hunt.

Chen said he needed the funds to continue to fight against what he viewed as injustice.

'We need at least 2,000 supporters to each donate 2,000 Taiwan dollars [62.50 US dollars] in order to keep the office going for six more months,' he said through his aide, Chen Sung-shan, director of the office.

The funds would also be used to finance the operation of a weekly magazine sponsored by the office, the aide said.

Parliament approved a government-proposed bill on August 19 to scrap the monthly allowance and annual stipend for any former president convicted of corruption. The bill came into effect Wednesday.

Chen Shui-bian, who is appealing a 20-year jail sentence, said in late August that the change was aimed at him. He has been behind bars since late 2008 after serving as president from 2000 to 2008.

A vociferous supporter of official independence for Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian has repeatedly claimed he was only tried because the more China-friendly current president, Ma Ying-jeou, wanted to appease a vindictive Beijing.

Taiwan and China split after a civil war in 1949. Beijing officially considers the island a breakaway province and has warned the island against declaring independence.

Ties have thawed since Ma took office with the relaxation of travel and trade restrictions.