DPP lawmakers are calling for former ambassador Jaime Wu to account for his actions since abruptly stepping down as Taiwan’s envoy to Nicaragua.
Wu retired from the foreign service in November, shortly before Nicaragua broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan. He failed to return to Taiwan to give a report on the severing of ties and has since taken Nicaraguan citizenship.
Despite his retirement, Wu remains bound by Taiwan’s official secrets act, and there are concerns that he could give away confidential information.
DPP lawmaker Chao Tien-Lin says that Wu was free to naturalize as a Nicaraguan citizen. However, he says that the timing, so soon after Nicaragua cut ties with Taiwan and Wu’s position as someone subject to the state secrets act are bound to lead to conjecture about his motives. He said that Wu’s case is one of individual freedom versus the interests of the nation.
Chao said that the government cannot force Wu to return, but that he should do so and explain himself, especially given the Nicaraguan government’s seizure of Taiwanese assets such as the former embassy building.
Fellow DPP lawmaker Wang Ting-Yu says that as the head of a foreign mission, Wu should have worked for the benefit of Taiwan’s diplomatic interests. Wang has criticized Wu’s decision to retire quickly, just before Nicaragua cut off ties with Taiwan and his decision to stay in Nicaragua and become a citizen. Wang says these moves are entirely unprofessional, unethical, and dubious from the point of view of Taiwan’s national interest.
Wang also says that Wu should return to Taiwan to express his loyalty to the nation and his thanks for his diplomatic training. Wang also says that he will respect whatever the government decides to do about Wu’s pension.