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Chen's counterparts hail his vision, friendliness

From left, Prime Minister of Belize Said Musa, President Chen Shui-bian, Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos and Salvadorean President Tony Saca wave for photographers during the summit of Central American leaders in Managua on Monday. PHOTO: AP

What do Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Central America think of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁)?

During a joint press conference held following the Fifth Summit of the Republic of China (ROC) and Central America in Managua on Monday, Belizean Prime Minister Said Musa said that both he and Chen are short but have "big hearts."

We are both "little big men," he said.

"President Chen is a little giant and a man of conviction. He is also a visionary, outstanding and brave leader who is determined to defend the rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan," Musa said.

"President Chen is a friendly and amicable president. I am personally a good friend of Chen." Salvadorean President Antonio Saca said.

"The first ladies of our two nations are also close to each other," he said.

Chen had personally telephoned the leaders of the nation's diplomatic allies in the region to invite them to the summit.

"Our relationship with our diplomatic allies in Central America is a strong feeling of brotherhood. Many of them have changed their hectic schedules to attend the summit. No matter how busy they were, they still wanted to participate in this family reunion," he said.

"President Chen is a little giant and a man of conviction."

Said Musa, prime minister of Belize

Chen said that although Honduran President Ricardo Maduro is planning to visit Taiwan next month, he had said that he would still love to meet with Chen at a summit if Chen asked to see him.

"This is how we maintain relationships with our diplomatic allies," Chen said.

Translated by Daniel Cheng
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