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Chen makes first-ever visit to Nauru

President Chen Shui-bian and Nauruan President Ludwig Scotty inspect an honor guard in Yaren, Nauru, yesterday. PHOTO: CNA

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday visited the world's smallest democracy, Nauru, on the second and last leg of his three-day state visit to the Pacific.

The highlight of his whirlwind visit was an address to the 18-member Nauruan parliament.

"The greatness of a country does not lie in its dimensions or population size, but rather in the strength of the minds of its people," he said.

"Taiwan and Nauru are both small countries, yet our peoples have unlimited power. The future of our two countries is thus full of hope and opportunity," Chen said.

Nauru has a population of about 10,000. The country has seen its per capita income gradually drop from one of the world's highest levels to one of the region's lowest. Its average per capita income in 2004 was US$100, with GDP at US$1 million.

The country was once rich in phosphate stocks and depended primarily on the export of this chemical. But 90 years of mining have effectively exhausted Nauru's resources, leaving the cash-strapped nation largely dependent on foreign aid.

"I did not run away, I did not go into exile, nor take any jewelry with me [on the trip]."

President Chen Shui-bian, responding to allegations leveled at him by pan-blue figures prior to his departure from Taiwan

Following the depletion of its primary industry, the nation faced an unemployment rate of 90 percent last year, according to the CIA's World Factbook.

Taiwan and Nauru first established diplomatic relations in 1980. After Nauru switched its allegiance to China in July 2002, it re-established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in May last year.

Chen is Taiwan's first president to visit the island, which became independent in 1968.

Chen yesterday expressed the nation's appreciation to Nauru for its firm support of Taiwan's bid to join the UN, the WHO and other international organizations.

"I also look forward to your continuing support of Taiwan in the international community in the future," he said.

Chen, his entourage and press corps touched down at Nauru International Airport yesterday morning on board two chartered China Airlines planes.

Chen was greeted by Nauruan President Ludwig Scotty, after which they inspected an honor guard and received a 21-gun salute at the airport. The Taiwanese president seemed in high spirits as he stopped to listen to a rendition of a Taiwanese song, Gao Shan Qing (高山青, "green mountain"), performed by students of the Nauru Secondary School and Kayser College.

Before arriving in Taipei last night, Chen made a transit stop in Guam, where he met with American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt.

Around 20 people staged an anti-Chen protest outside Guam's Hilton Hotel, where Chen attended a dinner meeting with Burghardt and other expatriates.

Chanting "A-bian, step down," protesters held placards reading "shame," "Destroy A-bian corruption syndicate" and "People want justice."

Some claimed that they had received invitations to the dinner, but had torn them up because they did not want to be associated with the Taiwanese president.

Chen later described the protest in a positive light, saying that in a democratic country like the US, the rights of protesters could be guaranteed.

He added that if the protesters were to stage their protest in Taiwan, their rights would still be safeguarded.

"But can these protesters stage a demonstration in Beijing and still have their rights protected?" Chen asked.

He said that he planned to visit Guam again next year, when the second annual Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit will take place in the Marshall Islands.

Saying that more Taiwanese tourists visited Palau than Guam, Chen added that Taiwanese tourists were not as aware of Guam as they were of other destinations.

He expressed the hope that he would be able to take part in more events on his next visit to Guam, thereby raising the territory's visibility among Taiwanese.

Chen, accompanied by the nation's de facto ambassador to the US David Lee (李大維), also met with Guam Governor Felix Camacho, US Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and the director of the Chinese Association, Wu Hung-sheng (吳弘聲).

According to Foreign Minister James Huang (黃志芳), Chen, during his meeting with Burghardt prior to attending the banquet, said Taiwan has a responsibility to strengthen its defensive ability and that the government would make every effort to push the long-stalled US-sourced arms procurement package through the legislature.

Noting that the defense budget for next year will increase by around US$2.2 billion, Chen said Taiwan would devote itself to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait as well as regional security and stability.

On issues relating to constitutional reform, Chen told Burghardt that he would seek only to resolve the question of whether a parliamentary or presidential system would be most suited to Taiwan. There would be no attempt to change the nation's official title, he said.

Chen and his entourage arrived at Sungshan Airport at 10:35pm last night.

During his address to the accompanying media while still inside the airplane, Chen responded to accusations leveled against him by pan-blue figures such as TV talk show host Sissy Chen (陳文茜), who suggested that the president may use his trip as an opportunity to flee his accusers and never return to Taiwan.

"I did not run away, I did not go into exile, nor take any jewelry with me [on the trip]. And all I have bought back with me is love," he said.

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) were at the airport to welcome Chen.

Thereafter, Chen rushed to visit first lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍), who was admitted to hospital on Tuesday night with a high fever.
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