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Chen vows not to miss APEC meet

"If I can't attend the meeting in person, I will send an envoy to attend on my behalf."

Chen Shui-bian, president

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday vowed that Taiwan would not be absent from next month's APEC leaders' summit and that Taiwan would strive to host APEC ministerial meetings.

"If I can't attend the meeting in person, I will send an envoy to attend on my behalf," Chen said.

This year's APEC leaders' summit will be held in Mexico at the end of next month.

Chen said that although it remains too much to expect Taiwan to be granted permission to host an APEC leaders' summit,the government will strive to gain permission to hold an APEC ministeral meeting.

Chen, accompanied by Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), made the remarks at a meeting with the media at Kukuan, Taichung County, a popular hot springs resort in central Taiwan, where party officials had gathered to exchange views on party matters.

In 1991 Taiwan became a member of the APEC, an economic body with 21 members.

Due to a dispute between China and Taiwan over Taipei's choice of envoy, Taiwan was forced to drop out of last year's APEC leaders' summit when it was held in Shanghai.

Chen also pledged yesterday to obtain a clear accounts listing of the KMT's assets so as to return justice to Taiwan's history and people, because, he said, the DPP will be looked down upon by its voters if it loses its courage to reform.

During the meeting, Chen took the chance to offer Lu a senior but unofficial position within the party, declaring that she will be DPP's No. 1 "substitutive chairman."

Chen took reins of the party on July 21, ushering in an era in which the party and politics would, he said, be in line with each other.

The president noted that since Lu would be the one to take over the presidency in an emergency, by the same token, she should certainly assume the party's chairmanship if ever necessary.

He further suggested that according to its regulations, the party does not have to appoint vice chairmen, ending months of speculation about the posts.

A recent series of joint appearances by Chen and Lu have been interpreted as an effort to demonstrate the two enjoy an amicable relationship, reversing the strained interactions that marked the beginning of their partnership.

DPP officials reached a consensus during yesterday's meeting to include the disputes surrounding the KMT's assets on the agenda of the Central Committee Meeting next Tuesday. They urged the KMT to honor its promise that it will return its illegal assets to the country.

Earlier in the day, Chen and Lu took the opportunity to show their concern for the Kukuan area, which was devastated by the 921 earthquake.

The president went to check on reconstruction projects in Tai-chung, whereas Lu promoted tourism in Kukuan.
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