President Chen Shui-bian (
"The meeting is a window of opportunity to allow the two sides' leaders to enter dialogue," Chen said as he received two visiting US congressmen.
"I would be very happy to personally attend the summit, which is the right that all members of APEC enjoy in accordance with the principle of equality."
Chen made his remarks during his meeting at the Presidential Office with US congressmen Joseph Hoeffel and Peter King.
The president also stressed that as a member of the international community Taiwan should be given the opportunity to fulfill its obligations and duties.
The APEC forum was founded in 1989. The annual leadership summit, the brainchild of former US president Bill Clinton, is expressly "informal" in order to emphasize its economic and trade-centered nature, rather than focus on the political implications of a meeting involving the leaders of Pacific Rim states.
In recent months, Chen has expressed his strong desire to travel to Shanghai, but Beijing has so far turned a cold shoulder to the idea.
Discussing the government's new policy toward China, the president said that his ideal of normalizing cross-strait relations -- which formed part of his campaign platform -- had been supported by the just-concluded Economic Development Advisory Conference.
"I have said previously that the normalization of cross-strait relations should begin with the normalization of trade relations," the president said, "and that the political integration of the two sides should start in economic and cultural circles."
"And now, I am very glad to see that my ideal has been implemented through the cooperation of all political parties," Chen said.
The president also said that the KMT's suggestions at the conference and its promise to fully support the future legislative processes had been a great help.
In related news, visiting US House Majority Whip Tom Delay said that if China does slam the door on Chen's attendance at the APEC summit, he should be invited to the US instead.
"If China denies President Chen his rightful seat at the table, then I believe it is critically important that we hear from him ourselves. I will encourage President Chen to visit Washington for a series of discussions on the issues of importance to nations in the region from Taiwan's perspective," Delay said.
Delay made the comments during a luncheon talk on "the winds of freedom" yesterday at the invitation of Jeffrey Koo (
When asked by the media about measures he'd like to initiate if Chen is denied a place at the forum, Delay gave a direct reply, saying: "I would invite him to come to the US."
Delay also described the APEC summit as "a prime opportunity for progress and I hope the ruling Communist regime in Beijing will not exclude President Chen from attending the meeting."
When asked whether he would support the recent House resolution submitted by Gary Ackerman to urge the US Congress to support Chen's attendance at the APEC summit, Delay said: "I don't know what the resolution is. Last time I checked, Mr Ackerman was a minority. We may have a majority resolution."
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