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Chen hopes to make his second Burkina Faso trip

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday he hopes to make a state visit to ally Burkina Faso later this year.

Chen made the remarks while meeting with Roch Marc Christian Kabore, speaker of the Burkina Faso parliament, who is currently on an official visit in Taipei.

The president told his guest that if an opportunity presents itself, he would like to visit Burkina Faso again late this year. Chen visited the West African nation in August 2000.

well travelled

If the visit takes place, Chen will become the first president from Taiwan ever to make four overseas trips in a single year.

Chen visited Palau and the Solomon Islands in January and is scheduled to visit other South Pacific island nations, including the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu, between late next month and early May.

Chen also plans to travel to Latin America in August or September to attend a summit meeting with leaders of Central and South American diplomatic allies.

advance team

In preparation for Chen's second South Pacific diplomatic tour, an advance team composed of officials from the Presidential Office, the Government Information Office and the National Security Bureau, will leave for the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu today to look into hotel capacity, airport facilities and other details.

Presidential Office staff said the itinerary of Chen's South Pacific visit will be fleshed out after the advance team completes its inspection tour.
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