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Chen takes Note on board Taiwanese frigate

President Chen Shui-bian, right, and Marshall Islands President Kessai Note, center, co-host a naval presidential salute onboard one of Taiwan's Lafayette-class frigates yesterday. PHOTO: CNA

In response to Marshall Islands President Kessai Note's warm reception, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday invited Note to board one of two Lafayette-class frigates from Taiwan which were visiting Majuro.

The two presidents arrived at the harbor around 8am yesterday and co-hosted a naval presidential salute onboard the Kun Ming. It was the first time a president has hosted such a ceremony at a foreign harbor with a foreign president.

The Dyi Huah and Kun Ming began their journey on April 19 and arrived in Majuro on April 30, ahead of the celebration of the Marshall Islands' 26th Constitution Day with Chen and his delegation on May 1.

People First Party Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁芳) complained that the navy was flattering the president and wasting tax money in an unnecessary show. However, the navy said the trip is merely part of its annual training.

"We do international cruises like this every year. For the Marshall Islands assignment, the two frigates carried a total of 313 sailors and we carried out regular exercises during our trip," said Captain Sun Chang-teh (孫常德), the fleet's spokesman.

The state-of-the-art French-made frigates left Majuro and returned to Taiwan immediately after the two presidents finished their breakfast.

In the afternoon, Note invited Chen to hop in a famous Marshallese catamaran for a try at riding the waves along the island's shore.

"I have been doing this [maneuvering a catamaran] for years. Your president will be perfectly safe with me," Note said. "It is my pleasure to show President Chen how to do this."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) was onboard the catamaran with the presidents. The group sailed approximately 9.7km.

"Taiwan go go go! Marshall Islands go go go!" President Chen yelled when he got off the catamaran, although he was totally soaked.

Note also presented Chen a catamaran as a gift. The catamaran will stay in Marshall Islands until the Taiwanese navy brings it home when their ships visit Majuro again in the near future.

In the meantime, due to light security at the Marshall Islands airport, China Airlines, which is in charge of Chen's charter flight, assigned its own staff to guard the aircraft 24 hours a day.
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