Chen back from South Pacific tour

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday said that he was satisfied with the results of his trip to the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji, and hoped that opposition politicians would emulate the legislators who accompanied him and work hand-in-hand for the sake of the country.

"I send my special thanks to People First Party [PFP] Legislator Lin Cheng-er (林正二), Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] Legislator Tseng Hua-teh (曾華德) and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Ying (陳瑩)," Chen Shui-bian said.

"Although they belong to different political parties, they came together and helped with our diplomatic work for this trip. If their fellow lawmakers worked together like they did, we would surely be able to make a lot more progress," he said.

Tseng, Lin and Chen Ying are Aboriginal lawmakers and were invited by the Presidential Office to travel with the president.

Chen Shui-bian made his remarks through the broadcast system on board the charter plane while en route home from Fiji yesterday afternoon.

While the aircraft was taxiing, Chen said he appreciated everybody on his team for making everything possible, especially during his stopover in Fiji, which does not maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

"There will definitely be another trip like this in future. You will be more than welcome to join me to fight for our country," he said.

The president praised everyone on board for working hand-in-hand for the sake of the country.

Although the press and China Airlines knew in advance that Fiji was to be the last stop on the trip, they did not release the news in advance for fear of creating international political pressure and jeopardizing the stopover.

In the meantime, the China Airlines crew had referred to Fiji as "Joyful Islands" on its inflight data monitor.

Late on Wednesday in Nadi, Fiji, Chen Shui-bian told reporters that the new chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation would be named following PFP Chairman James Soong's (宋楚瑜) return to Taiwan from China.

"This is not the best time for me to announce the nomination while he [Soong] is still away," Chen said. "However, I assure you the candidate will be a political heavyweight."

Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Ma Yung-cheng (馬永成) later told reporters that the president had talked to many potential appointees and had decided on his favorite.

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