Democratic Pacific Assembly begins with Chen's praise

A forum for "facilitating communication" among the nation's allies and other Pacific and East Asian countries initiated by Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) began with a preliminary session yesterday.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) expressed his confidence in the eventual establishment of a group, the Democratic Pacific Union, related to the forum.

"I believe that by convening the second [Democratic Pacific] Assembly, we will be able to usher forth the birth of the Democratic Pacific Union in the near future," Chen said in a written congratulatory statement welcoming academics and foreign dignitaries to the three-day assembly, which started yesterday.

The assembly was first held last year to promote democracy, human rights and freedom.

Through seminars and plenary sessions, more than 100 experts and political figures from 24 nations will take part in the assembly to discuss cooperation on a wide range of issues, including regional security, maritime resources, industrial development and technology exchanges, along with the promotion of democracy.

Acknowledging Lu's active promotion of the realization of the assembly, Chen noted that the assembly, having undergone lengthy preparation, "is dedicated to developing an alliance of Pacific Rim democracies and their joint creation of a platform for dialogue and a mechanism for cooperation."

"We hope sincerely that the promotion of soft diplomacy will inspire democratic countries in the Pacific region to establish alliances based on the ideals of security, freedom, democracy and human rights," Chen said.

"That these alliances can be further developed into a security mechanism that can prevent conflicts and wars before they happen," Chen said.

The president will address the assembly's attendants as the keynote speaker during the event's opening ceremony today. The president of El Salvador, Elias Antonio Saca, will be the other keynote speaker at the event, with a speech entitled "A New Vision for the Pacific Era."

Among the dignitaries attending the event include 1976 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Betty Williams, Panamanian Vice President Arturo Vallarino, Vice President of Nicaragua Rizo Castellon and former chairman of the International Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives Benjamin Gilman.

"Through this event, we wish to implement step by step what we have long promoted -- soft national power and a maritime-oriented nation," Lu told reporters after she attended a seminar yesterday, adding that she would have a "surprise announcement" to make during the assembly.

While expressing her anticipation to meet with Hou Ren (蓮舫), a Taiwanese-Japanese member of Japan's House of Councilors, the country's upper legislative house, Lu noted that the assembly is an international event with participation by numerous foreign guests. She urged the media to not to focus its limelight on just one individual.

"I believe my meeting Hou Ren will be heart-warming," Lu said. "However, given that [the assembly] is a serious international meeting, I hope everyone will focus attention on the development of the world."

Also see story:

Taiwan's isolation must end: academics