In an exclusive interview with the Taipei Times yesterday, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen also revealed that he had met with former president Lee Teng-hui (
"The experience of the past six months has shown that the opposition alliance has totally rejected any possibility of rational public policy debates," Chen said.
"I have waited for the opposition camp for six months, but I haven't gotten a positive response. So, I decided that the national alliance for stability must be formed."
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Taiwanese investors yesterday, Chen offered words of encouragement to a group of Taiwanese businessmen who were robbed by gunmen on Sunday while traveling from South Africa to Swaziland to meet with Chen.
The group's chartered bus was ambushed by the gunmen on a highway about 100km east of Johannesburg. Some 10 women and five children under 13 were also reportedly on the bus. According to a police source, the group was robbed of cash, credit cards and valuables worth about 2 million rand (US$200,000). Reports said that there were no injuries, but a shot was fired through the bus roof.
Chen expressed his regret over the incident during the meeting of Taiwanese investors in Africa. He also shared his own experiences of being robbed twice in South Africa.
Chen, who first visited South Africa as a Taipei City councilor, said he was robbed while pushing his wife in her wheelchair. Chen said his trousers were torn as he tried to hang onto his bag.
"My wife was sitting there, looking at me as if she were watching a cops-and-robbers movie," the president joked.
He took his second trip to South Africa when he was Taipei mayor. Since he traveled with a delegation, he thought he wouldn't have to worry about theft, but the entire delegation had its passports stolen.
But Chen told the group that wealth can be regained, while health is priceless.
"I feel so sorry [for what happened to you], but I would still be willing to visit South Africa again if I have the chance," Chen said.
He also encouraged the businessmen to speak up for Taiwan while doing business in Africa.
"Taiwan needs to walk out. And it is a goal which can be reached only by all fellow compatriots' collective efforts," Chen said.
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