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Chen Chien-jen upbeat on his posting to the EU

Former representative to the US Chen Chien-jen (程建人) said yesterday he had accepted his new posting as representative to the EU because he believed he could continue to make a contribution to the country.

After announcing the cancelation of former foreign minister Eugene Chien's (簡又新) appointment as representative to the EU, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) confirmed late on Wednesday night that Chen Chien-jen would fill the vacancy.

The change means that Chen Chien-jen and David Lee (李大維), the new representative to the US and former representative to the EU, have swapped posts.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who decorated Chen Chien-jen with the Second Order of Propitious Clouds last Thursday for outstanding diplomatic performance, is believed to have selected Chen Chien-jen for the EU posting.

The diplomat, who has been staying at the United Hotel in Taipei, told reporters yesterday morning that he decided to accept the new job after talking with the president and the foreign minister.

"I had considered traveling, writing a book or retiring after leaving my job in the US," Chen Chien-jen said.

"After I returned to Taipei, I discussed my career with the president. I have thought long and hard on this matter and I believe I can still do something for our nation," he said.

Mark Chen yesterday offered an explanation why the government had swapped the diplomats.

"It is only natural that Chen Chien-jen leave his old position. He has been in the US for more than four years," Mark Chen said.

Diplomats, according to established practice, are deployed to new countries or posts after serving in one location for three to four years, he said.

Mark Chen said that under the circumstances Chen Chien-jen is a better candidate than Chien for the EU posting.

"The government considered the matter closely before deciding to choose Lee as our representative to the US. Lee once won the award for the nation's best diplomat. His excellent performance convinced us that he can handle things in the US," he said.

Asked whether the canceling of Chien's appointment was a result of the UK representative office's blunder in issuing a passport and legal documents to Yeh Hsiu-chen (葉秀貞), wife of fugitive murder suspect Andrew Wang (汪傳浦), Mark Chen said: "I don't know. I cannot say."

Mark Chen's comments seemed to contradict his position on Wednesday, in which he strongly hinted that there was a link.

The foreign minister apparently did not indicate to Chien that his appointment had been canceled prior to his announcement at the press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Learning the information from reporters, Chien phoned Mark Chen after the press conference but the minister was said to have missed the call.

Mark Chen then called Chien on Wednesday evening and informed him of the decision.

Asked by reporters whether Chien would be given another diplomatic job, the minister said he did not know.

"Chien is a man without a position. There are many people without positions. So perhaps the government will give Chien another position in future," he said.
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