I harbor lots of emotions when I come to this new book presentation of Research Report on Responsibility For The 228 Massacre. Attribution of due responsibility for the 228 Massacre had in the past been a subject the government was afraid to mention, or talk about. But today, after the research conducted by the “228 Massacre Truth Research Task Force,” finally there is a book on due responsibility of the 228 Massacre that helps answer people’s inner doubts and brings historical truth to light. This report proves that through rational discussion, and research and collection of data, a better knowledge of historical truth can be obtained.
In the past when Taiwan was under the autocratic rule, historical truth oftentimes was disavowed by the authorities, who either covered it up or deliberately distorted it. When explaining the 228 Massacre, some, upholding the idea that such a massacre was a historical necessity during time of regime change, thought it should be forgiven. Some others, saying that the 228 Massacre was not the only one of its kind in the early days following the end of World War II, argued that it should also be forgiven. All these sayings originated their arguments from the stance of the ruling authorities. Regardless of all that, truth of the 228 Massacre should not be blurred and put out of focus.
Research Report on Responsibility For The 228 Massacre is the one most representative research of the subject matter following the publication of the 228 Massacre Research Reportpublished by the Executive Yuan in 1992. Aside from the preface and conclusion, the book is divided into four sections, discussing the happening of the Massacre and its damages to Taiwan, due responsibility on the part of decision-maker in Nanjing, due responsibility on the part of military and political authorities in Taiwan and due responsibility on the part of relevant individuals involved. The conclusion states that then highest leader Chiang Kai Shek was the main culprit in the Massacre and should therefore shoulder the most responsibility for the Massacre. Chen Yi, Ke Yuan-Fen, Peng Meng-Ci, and other military personnel also shared the blame. Other approaches such as discussions of civil and criminal law are also mentioned in the book, which could possibly lead to new research on partakers’ due responsibility in the Massacre.
In the process of a nation’s transformation to democracy, action that uncover past history and clarify due responsibility is a must on the path toward a mature democracy. People of a true, mature democratic nation must have the courage to face Taiwan’s history, and not be deceived by distorted perception.
At the time when A-bian [ I ] was involved in the “outside the party” movement, the atmosphere then allowed only the movement be called as “Justice and Peace Movement of the 228 Massacre.” Later on, the government slowly disclosed historical records and took relevant actions to address the issue such as establishing monuments, museums and designating 228 memorial holidays. However, in the process, some core issues such as the courage to face the historical truth have been neglected under the name of exercising tolerance and compassion. The general public, thinking the victims and their families had received necessary monetary comfort, neglects the needed reflection of truth behind the 228 Massacre.
The core issue of attributing due responsibility was ignored and forgotten under the superficial forms of setting up monuments and giving out monetary indemnification. Under the autocratic regime of the Kuomintang government, it arrested dissidents, and caused countless cases of injustice. Given the time and place then, it was understandable that people, despite being angry and upset, dared not to utter their complaints. However, in today’s world of freedom and democracy, if the truth and due responsibility of the 228 Massacre still are being ignored, then it is a representation that the justice has yet been served, a situation which we can not allow and let it happen. For this reason, we must implement a democratic constitutional government that ensures the core value of the human rights. Moreover, we must not shy from dealing the issue of attribution of due responsibility of the 228 Massacre under the excuses of forgiveness and ethnic harmony.
For all Taiwanese, the 228 Massacre will always be our heartache. Restoring the historical truth can pave establish the foundations for social justice and mutual trust. Only through uncovering the truth can we learn from our history and develop a sense of identification with the land and the nation. A-bien [ I ] deeply believes that only via learning the lessons from the history can we get beyond the past and develop a true self; I also believe that only through in-depth research and unearth of the historical truth can the wounds be smoothed and a society of justice be established.
All our lives, we’ve learned how to forgive and be tolerant. In many events, only true forgiveness can bring genuine harmony and peace. That however does not mean we oughtto should forget who should be held responsible for the 228 Massacre. Justice and forgiveness do not conflict one another. Justice is the corner stone in a society and that law is one of the tools employed to protect that corner stone. With the publication of this new book, it attests to the fact that Taiwan’s democracy has now taken another step forward towards achieving social justice. True forgiveness must be based on historical truth, A-bian [ I ] hereby would like to express gratitude to the book’ s authors and the whole research team Once again, I wish everyone peace and joy.
Key-note speech delivered by President Chen Shui-Bian during the new book presentation of Research Report on Responsibility For The 228 Massacre