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Chen Shui-bian still determined to go to APEC's Busan meet
By Chiu Yu-tzu
STAFF REPORTER
Friday, Aug 12, 2005, Page 2
The Presidential Office rebutted South Korean claims that President Chen Shui-bian (³¯¤ô«ó) had not filed an application to attend the APEC forum to be held in Busan, South Korea in November, saying he had made his desire to attend explicit to the envoys sent by President Roh Moo-hyun last month, and that no other procedures are called for.
SEOUL REPORT
The Korea Times newspaper reported yesterday that an official of Seoul's Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry said on Wednesday that the president had yet to send an application although Chen had expressed his wish to attend APEC's annual leadership forum this year.
"Diplomatic sources said Chen's hesitance might arise from China's strong opposition to his attending the APEC forum," the report said.
The report quoted an official of the Preparatory Office for APEC 2005, who said at a press briefing in Seoul that he personally thinks the possibility of the president's attendance is "next to nil," stressing that the Taiwanese leader has "conventionally'' opted not to take part in the forum.
TAIPEI RESPONSE
However, a top official at the Presidential Office said yesterday that Chen had clearly told Roh's envoy Kim Jong-hoon that he would attend when Kim delivered an invitation to the forum to the Presidential Office on July 22.
"Being a nation's leader, such an expression should be regarded as an official application," Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General James Huang (¶À§ÓªÚ) said.
Besides, a press release was written last month to explain Chen's stance, Huang said.
CONSENSUS NEEDED
Huang said that whether Chen could attend the forum would be based on consensus of members of the organization rather than any single one.
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