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Chen to thank former AIT boss

Former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) chairwoman Therese Shaheen will arrive in Taiwan tomorrow on a five-day trip, during which the government will express its appreciation for her prominent role in facilitating ties with the US.

"President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) will receive Shaheen and honor her with a decoration," a source at the Presidential Office said yesterday. "We are also preparing a banquet to welcome Shaheen at the Presidential Office at noon on Monday."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and friends of Shaheen helped to arrange her schedule, which will include meeting business leaders and participating in the Dragon Boat Festival. She will leave the country on the following day.

A close aide to Chen said that decorating Shaheen was an expression of the government's sincere appreciation for her contribution to the promotion of the country.

But Shaheen's arrival will also serve as a reminder of tensions between the current AIT leadership and Taiwan's government.

In contrast to some US officials in charge of Taiwan affairs, the official said, in a veiled reference to AIT director Douglas Paal, Shaheen was a very good friend of this country who sincerely devoted herself to promoting US-Taiwan friendship.

"During President Chen's stopover in cities in the US last October, he and his entire delegation enjoyed high-profile treatment thanks to Shaheen's endorsement and support, which resulted in breakthroughs in the US-Taiwan relationship," the official said.

During Chen's three-day stop-over in New York, Shaheen praised his achievement in furthering democracy and human rights, calling Chen a "superstar."

She also described US President George W. Bush as a "secret guardian angel."

"And while Washington hesitated to issue a formal congratulatory message to Chen after winning the March 20 presidential election, Shaheen clearly expressed her congratulations to Chen," the official said.

Another high-ranking official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Shaheen did something that many other US officials were unwilling to do, which was to stand up and support Taiwan in a time of need.

"Other leaders at the AIT were choosing to meet with the opposition parties' presidential candidates straight after the election. They were also making strong remarks which were inappropriate from a diplomatic point of view that interfered with government policy," the official said.

"Shaheen's congratulations and her genuine concern for our two countries' relationship should be cherished. She deserves much gratitude," the government official told the Taipei Times.

"Shaheen's sincerity and goodwill toward Taiwan might have ultimately harmed her political career, but in the process she earned our eternal respect," the official said.

Shaheen took office on December 2002. She resigned in April, saying she wanted to spend more time with her daughter.

Taipei's political circles recognized, however, that her resignation was the result of political wrangling in Washington.

The Presidential Office had invited Shaheen to attend Chen's inauguration ceremony on May 20, but she turned it down, claiming family commitments.

"We understand that she was keeping in mind the need not to embarrass the US government," a ministry official said.

As to whether Shaheen will meet with any AIT officials in Taiwan during her five-day trip, Nadine Siak, information officer at the AIT's Public Affairs Section, told the Taipei Times that the AIT had not made any arrangements for Shaheen because she is a private individual.
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