Chen Shui-bian off to Central America and the Caribbean

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday embarked on a five-day visit to Central America and the Caribbean, marking his first trip to Saint Lucia since the Caribbean country resumed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in May last year.

Chen that despite China's oppression, he still wanted to make the trip because he would like to spread Taiwan's experience of democratization.

Although there are many things to take care of following Saturday's legislative election, Chen said he did not mind traveling halfway around the world to attend the inauguration of Guatemalan president-elect Alvaro Colom because it is a golden opportunity to meet with Taiwan's diplomatic allies and other world leaders at the special occasion.

Chen refuel in Alaska on his way and during his return journey. He is expected to meet with American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt during a 90-minute refueling stop at Anchorage airport.

While Guatemala, the Presidential Office said Chen would hold bilateral meetings with the heads of Honduras, El Salvador, Panama and Nicaragua. After a three-day stay in Guatemala, Chen will head to Saint Lucia.

Amid about the nation's relationship with Guatemala, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Colom had told Taiwanese Ambassador to Guatemala Francisco Ou (歐鴻鍊) during the presidential campaign that he would maintain his country's friendship with Taiwan and would not accept an invitation to visit China if he was elected.

During his farewell speech at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport yesterday morning, Chen criticized China for intensifying its military intimidation of Taiwan. While it deployed 988 missiles on its southeast coast targeting Taiwan last year, the number jumped to 1,328 this year, seriously threatening peace and security in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

Beijing tries to tempt Taiwan's diplomatic allies with monetary incentives, he said, and pressures international organizations to accept its erroneous assertion that Taiwan is part of China.

Faced increasing diplomatic difficulties, Taiwan cannot sit idly by, Chen said, adding that the more severe the situation, the more determined the country must be.

"We must let the international community not only see Taiwan, but also pay attention to the fact that Taiwan is an independent sovereignty," he said.

Instead using "dollar diplomacy," Chen said the country would use its democracy, humanitarianism and economic assistance to win the support and recognition of the international community.

That is the true meaning of his trip, he said. He said he believed his maiden trip to Saint Lucia would strengthen friendship with the island state.