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KMT backs Wang as envoy to APEC

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) has secured the support of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) to travel to South Korea to represent President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) at an informal APEC meeting.

In a meeting with Wang yesterday, KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) backed away from his earlier skepticism, and said he would try to convince Beijing to let Wang represent Chen at APEC's informal leaders' summit next month.

Wang said that Ma telephoned him early yesterday morning and told him he would be happy to see him attend the event in place of the president. Wang said he was grateful that Ma "has the nation's overall interest in mind" in regard to the matter.

Wang, however, said that it was not the right time for him to meet Ma and that a meeting with him might not take place until "things are settled."

"In addition to instructing the party to help me make the necessary preparations before the trip, he [Ma] said that he is willing to use party channels to convince China to let me attend the meeting," Wang told reporters yesterday morning.

Xinhua Agency quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan (孔泉) as saying that China was firmly opposed to Taiwan's "Legislative Yuan President" attending the summit.

Kong said that "Chinese Taipei" could only send its minister in charge of APEC-related economic affairs to attend the meeting.

He said Chen had ulterior motives and was playing tricks, and that the parties concerned should handle the matter carefully and realize the gravity of the issue, Xinhua said.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Michael Lu (呂慶龍) responded to Kong, saying that the Chinese government had no right to decide who Taiwan's representative would be. It was the president's right to select an envoy, and none of the Chinese government's business, Lu said.

Responding to China's opposition, Wang called on Beijing to adopt new thinking and adjust its stance.

"It's been 14 years since the memorandum of understanding [allowing Taiwan to join APEC] was signed and it is time for a change," he said.

Wang also dismissed China for questioning Chen's motives for appointing him as his proxy. He said he felt Chen had the utmost sincerity, and that he would not allow anyone to question it.

Wang also revealed that he informed former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) about the matter on Wednesday and that Lien told him he would be happy to see Wang represent Chen at the meeting.

Lien apparently also told Wang that the party did not allow former premier Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) to attend an APEC meeting in 2000 as Chen's proxy because Siew was a party vice chairman at the time.

Since Wang was no longer KMT vice chairman, Lien said it would be "appropriate" and "uniquely meaningful" if Wang could go, Wang quoted Lien as saying.

Siew had been picked by Chen to go to the 2000 meeting, but was prevented from doing so after the Cabinet's abrupt announcement that it would suspend construction of the controversial Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.

Governor of the Central Bank Perng Fai-nan (彭淮南) was then picked at the last minute to serve as the president's envoy.

Chen's assignment of Wang received praise across party lines in the legislature's Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Com-mittee yesterday.

However, opposition legislators, while applauding Chen for the decision, wondered if Chen's announcement had been made without Seoul's approval.

"Given the country's difficult diplomatic situation, the government should operate in a pragmatic way in assigning its representatives at the meeting," KMT Legislator Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) said.

Chiang said protocol requirede that admission to the meeting be approved by the host country before an announcement was made.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) said the US had responded positively to the announcement, which would be helpful.

"President Chen informed US officials of the announcement when he made a transit stop in Miami en route to Central America in late September," the minister said. "The US official regarded Wang as a very suitable delegate."

He urged legislators and the public to support Wang.

"As long as the public can stand up for the government's decision on the basis of the national interest, there is every possibility that Wang will be present at the meeting," he said.

Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) yesterday said that Wang was a better choice than he, and that he was more than happy to offer him advice. Lee attended the last three APEC summits as the president's envoy.

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