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President congratulates winner of S Korea poll

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) sent a telegram to South Korean president-elect Lee Myung-bak yesterday, congratulating him on his victory in Wednesday's national election.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it hoped Lee's victory would improve cooperation and exchanges with South Korea.

Deputy ministry spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh (葉非比) said Lee's achievements during his term as mayor of Seoul from 2002 to last year were clear to all and the ministry believes Lee will continue to push economic development.

"We hope the two countries will have closer exchanges and cooperation in the areas of politics, economy, society, tourism and culture," she said. "We would like the two countries to work together and advance security, prosperity and development in the ... region."

At a separate setting, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said Lee had won because the South Koreans believed in his ability, guts and competence.

"They believe he can deliver on his promises," Hsieh said. "National leaders are like contractors. They are very good at promoting their products, but the potential customers have every reason to reject a product if they find out it is not as good as advertised."

Hsieh made the remarks as he introduced a campaign video comparing Lee's achievements as Seoul mayor and his as Kaohsiung mayor.

While both he and Lee had overseen the clean-up of a river running through their cities, Hsieh said Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate and former Taipei mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) had not been able to do the same for the Keelung and Tamsui rivers.

Hsieh dismissed a KMT campaign video that claims the South Korean economy is better than Taiwan's, saying South Korea's ruling party would not have lost the election if its economy been good.

Hsieh said he and Lee had both come from humble backgrounds, served as mayor and delivered on their promises.

In other developments, the foreign ministry said diplomatic ties with Nauru and the Solomon Islands remain stable despite the changes in their governments.

Marcus Stephen ousted Nauruan president Ludwig Scotty in a no-confidence motion on Dec. 19.

Yeh said Stephen, who had visited Taipei in March, was friendly to Taiwan and has invited Ambassador to Nauru Bruce Fuh (傅正綱) to attend his inauguration.

Kieren Keke, who has been named foreign minister, has asked his father, Nauruan Ambassador to Taiwan Ludwig Keke, to convey the message that bilateral ties will strengthen, Yeh said.

Newly elected Solomon Island Prime Minister Derek Sikua has also been supportive of Taiwan, she said.

Also see: Sikua elected PM in Solomons
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