Taiwan’s president says he is not a crook

Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian denied all wrongdoing Sunday in his first public response since his wife was indicted last week in connection with a secret presidential fund.

Chen’s detailed, defiant presentation suggested he had no plans to resign despite being implicated in the scandal. His term ends in 2008.

On Friday, Wu Shu-chen was indicted on embezzlement, perjury and forgery charges involving $480,000 of a fund earmarked for diplomacy.

The prosecutor said Chen could face charges after leaving office. The island’s constitution grants broad immunity to a sitting president.

“I must ask everyone, could A-bian be this kind of crooked fellow?” Chen asked Taiwanese voters in a TV address, using his nickname. “Would he need to use these kinds of corrupt methods, and over five years collect receipts, even for sums” as little as $3.92?

The main opposition Nationalist Party has threatened to launch a parliamentary recall motion if Chen doesn’t resign. But a recall looks unlikely without defections in Chen’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP. Attempts in June and October fell short of the necessary two-thirds legislative majority.

On Sunday, Chen criticized the way the investigation was handled and addressed some of the specific allegations.

He argued that the “secret” part of the fund was too small, forcing him to borrow from the “nonsecret” portion to further Taiwanese diplomacy.

But prosecutors say only two of six secret diplomatic initiatives involving the fund appear to be genuine. Chen made little effort to explain the apparent discrepancy.

Thousands of protesters hit the streets in Taipei, the capital, and Kaohsiung over the weekend, some wearing red protest T-shirts, others holding “End Corruption” placards.

“I believe that history will return justice to me, and the judicial process will clear my name,” Chen told reporters, repeating a pledge to step down if his wife is found guilty.

A court decision would probably take a year to 18 months. Some people saw Chen’s vow as a feint. “He says he will step down if found guilty, but I think he’s just trying to buy time,” said opposition politician James Soong.

Chen has weathered political scandals before and may survive, analysts say, because few in his ruling party welcome the alternatives: Vice President Annette Lu as his replacement or an opposition emboldened by his departure.

“It’s a big mess, which is why the DPP has been so reluctant to come out against him,” said Antonio Chiang, an independent analyst and former presidential aide.