President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen also denied the accusation that his receiving the 2003 International Human Rights Award was a result of strong lobbying from the US arms dealers.
Chen started his seven-day overseas trip on Friday, mainly to receive an award from the International League for Human Rights and to celebrate Panama's 100th anniversary of independence.
Chen said he only realized he had sat at the same table as president and CEO of defense contractor United Defense Thomas Rabaut after he read the newspaper. He said he did not know Rabaut or his company.
"I am most proud of the fact, one that can endure scrutiny, that since I became the Taipei mayor, everyone knows my style, that is, I do not touch or monitor any purchase cases," Chen said.
"As president I never interfere with any purchase case, whether it be with the Ministry of National Defense or other ministries."
"It is not a problem when an arms dealer sits with me because I do not deal with them," Chen said.
Chen also responded to People First Party Chairman James Soong's (宋楚瑜) criticism that he did not enjoy a top-level reception from the US government due to the lack of a 21-gun salute. Chen said that anyone with common political sense knows that unless there were official diplomatic ties with the US, there would be no such salute.
Chen added that Soong's criticism was not worth rebutting.
"When we travel overseas, we only have one thing in mind: that the welfare of the people and the country is above everything. We hope our competitors do not criticize us," Chen said.
Chen said that when one was abroad one should try to promote Taiwan instead of bringing domestic quarrels overseas.
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