Chen set to make stop in New York

The Presidential Office yesterday confirmed that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) will make a stopover in New York en route to a five-leg visit to Latin America in May, and another stopover in Houston on the way back, saying that the US government has promised to give Chen better treatment than that provided to Taiwan's presidents and vice-presidents in the past.

"We believe that President Chen's upcoming visit will create a number of diplomatic breakthroughs in the Taiwan-US relationship," said a close aide to the president who is in charge of his schedule.

The aide yesterday told the Taipei Times that the president's two-week visit has been scheduled for May 21 to June 4 and that the whole delegation would make a stopover in New York on May 21 and 22.

"We are still seeking the US government's approval for a number of official activities, such as opportunities for President Chen to meet US congressmen," the aide said.

Chen made a stopover in Los Angeles during a trip last August to Latin America, but was prevented by the US government, under pressure from Beijing, from engaging in any public activity, or even meeting US political figures in private. The restrictions led to vociferous protests by many Taiwanese groups in the US.

"Taiwan's new government has interacted well with the US during the past year, and President Chen's continued expressions of sincere goodwill toward China have successfully stabilized the cross-strait situation, and won the US leaders' trust," the aide said.

"We have therefore received positive responses from the US government to our suggestions that it improve the treatment of Taiwan's president during his stopover," the aide added.

The Presidential Office is scheduled to announced today the itinerary for Chen's second overseas trip since taking office last May.

The aide said Chen is scheduled to leave Taipei May 21 for his five-country Central and South America visit aimed at shoring up relations with Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the region.

The tour will take Chen to El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and Honduras, the sources said, adding that the president is scheduled to end his visit June 3, returning to Taiwan on June 4.

On his way home, the close aide said, Chen will make a stop-over in Houston, Texas, where he plans to visit a museum and library dedicated to former US President George Bush, and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The length of Chen's stopover in Houston remains unclear, as arrangements and negotiations with the US are continuing.

One of the major events on Chen's itinerary will be his attendance at a summit meeting between the senior leaders of Taiwan and its Central American allies, scheduled to open in El Salvador May 25.

The heads of state will exchange views on the integration of Central American countries and major regional development programs.

Chen will also tour a new residential community built with the assistance of Taiwan's largest charity -- the Buddhist Compassionate Relief Tzu Chi Foundation (慈濟功德會) -- after El Salvador was rattled by two devastating earthquakes early this year.