Planning snags nixed president's visit

A source from the Presidential Office said that President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) diplomatic visit to Indonesia was canceled on Sunday because those arranging the visit were unable to ensure diplomatic treatment.

"There were some unexpected contingencies that arose in Indonesia. The cancellation wasn't a result of internal fighting in Taiwan's government. This is why President Chen's planned visit was interrupted," the source told Taipei Times.

The source confirmed that while Indonesia's press publicized the information about President Chen's surprise visit, Taiwan's national security system immediately suggested postponing the plan.

"Unless the Indonesian government can promise to provide security, a comfortable environment and observe diplomatic protocol, President Chen should not take the trip as he risks degrading the dignity of the head of state," the source said.

The Jakarta Post first published a front-page story about Chen's visit last Saturday. The article said Chen was to lead a 90-member delegation, composed mostly of business leaders, to visit Indonesia's Yogyakarta Province and meet with some of Indonesia's top politicians.

Chief of the National Security Bureau Tsai Chao-ming (蔡朝明), who has been sent to Indonesia to check on security conditions, told the Presidential Office that the atmosphere in Indonesia has changed considerably since the Post published its report, and added that it is not wise to follow-up on any trips for the president at this time.

Bambang Priyohadi, Yogyakarta provincial secretary, confirmed the story on Saturday to AFP, but Indonesia's foreign ministry denied handling any official requests from Chen.

An Indonesian official suggested that Chen could visit Indonesia as a private citizen, saying that "a visit for an individual or a tourist can take place at any time."

The source from the Presidential Office told the Taipei Times, "The president is totally different from a tourist and the necessary diplomatic protocols must be observed."

The source refused to clarify who was in charge of the plans in Taiwan and in Indonesia and refused to confirm whether the Indonesian government was involved with the arrangement.

"You ask me about Indonesia's involvement; it depends on which department you are talking about," he said.

Responding to speculation about whether pro-China officials within Indonesia's government -- who had heard of Chen's visit at the last moment -- purposely revealed the information to the Post to provoke a reaction from China, the source said "we believe it is a possible reason for the leak."

"The president's visit was simply canceled because of a leak. The real reason the leak was made needs further investigation," he said.

The source said that Chen had planned a three-day leisure trip as a diplomat. Chen was scheduled to land in Bali on Sunday and have a private meeting with Indonesia President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Chen was to fly to Yogyakarta yesterday to meet Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwobo X and Chen was also supposed to visit the ninth-century Borobudur Buddhist temple near Yogyakarta.

"To promote the two countries' trade relationship and create friendships between the two countries' leaders was certainly the president's main purpose, but now we have to wait for a new opportunity," the source said.