Chen "had the ability to place that organization in abeyance. That's a decision he chose to make," he said.
While conceding that Washington did not think the decision "was going to advance the cause of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, we understood that this was something he felt strongly about," Wilder said.
In terms of altering the "status quo," Wilder cited an interview that Chen recently gave to a French magazine in which he reiterated his pledge on the so-called "four noes," calling it a "very positive sign."
Wilder added, "We believe that those pledges are important to maintaining the status quo."
Overall, Wilder said that Bush "made a very strong statement about where he is on Taiwan, a clear and consistent position. And the Chinese president, I think, appreciated that."
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