Former US president Bill Clinton plans to visit Taiwan next month and is scheduled to meet with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), the Presidential Office revealed yesterday.
"President Chen is expected to meet with Clinton and exchange views on politics, administrative management and other issues of mutual concern," Yu Shyi-kun, secretary-general to the president, said yesterday. "The meeting between the president and the distinguished guest is being arranged."
Clinton is scheduled to visit in the middle of next month at the invitation of a local newspaper. He also plans to meet with Taiwan business leaders.
Yu said Chen admires Clinton's record of economic prosperity. In addition, Yu said, Chen respects the former US president's efforts to build a new international order and promote world peace during his eight-year presidency.
Though popular at home, Clinton's admirers are fewer in Taiwan.
While in office Clinton viewed China as a "strategic partner," while his successor, George W. Bush, has taken a tougher line on Taiwan's neighbor, calling it a "strategic competitor" of the US.
On a visit to China, Clinton spelled out his "Three no's" policy concerning cross-strait relations, which wasn't well received in Taiwan or among China watchers in the US. The policy said that the US would not support Taiwan independence, a "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" policy, or membership for Taiwan in international organizations in which statehood is a requirement.
Clinton, though, did stress during his two terms in office that the US supported a peaceful solution to the cross-strait standoff and that any formula for resolving the dispute must first win the support of Taiwan's people.
Bush has said the US would do "whatever it took" to defend Taiwan's freedom if attacked by China.Also See Editorial
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