Chen goes to Rome for papal rites

"President Chen wishes to simplify the visit. The main purpose of the visit is to pay tribute to the late Pope on behalf of Taiwan and its 23 million people."

Chen Wen-tsung, spokesman for the Presidential Office

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) will this afternoon board a charter plane for the Vatican City to join world leaders attending Pope John Paul II's funeral on Friday, the Presidential Office said last night.

The trip to Vatican City will mark the first time ever that a Taiwan president has made a visit to an European country.

According to Presidential Office spokesman Chen Wen-tsung (陳文宗), the President will fly directly from Taipei to Rome Italy aboard a China Airlines' charter flight, which is scheduled to leave at 3:40pm. Chen is scheduled to arrive in Rome 2am (local time) Friday morning. The pontiff's funeral is slated to commerce at 10am (local time).

Chen plans to stay in Vatican City for no more than 24 hours, and is scheduled to leave Rome on Friday night, the spokesman said, adding that the exact time is yet to be finalized.

When asked if any other activities will be included in the visit, the spokesman said, "President Chen wishes to simplify the visit. The main purpose of the visit is to pay tribute to the late Pope on behalf of Taiwan and its 23 million people."

"President Chen expressed gratitude for the Holy See's invitation as well as to the Italian government for granting him the visa," the spokesman said.

The Holy See is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Europe. To get to the Vatican City, however, Chen would need to travel through Italy, which has diplomatic ties with China.

According to a report from the Central News Agency, it said that at approximate 5pm yesterday afternoon, the Italian government had granted a visa to President Chen and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山).

Given that US President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and many other world leaders are expected to attend the papal funeral, Chen's presence may provide an unprecedented opportunity for him to rub shoulders with these world leaders.

Along with the foreign minister, Chen's delegation will include Taipei Grand Mosque Imam Ma Shiao-chi (馬孝棋), St. Anne Home's Fr. Jan van Aert and Fr. Hsin Chao-ming (幸朝明), the spokesman said.

The 50-member group will also include Presidential aids, a bodyguard and Presidential Office staff, the spokesman said.

According to a CNA report, Chen will reside at Rome's Westin Excelsior Hotel during his stay, although the spokesman declined to confirm the report.