President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen is on a four-nation African tour, which began when he arrived in Dakar on Monday.
Senegalese officials said yesterday that they appreciated the aid that Taiwan had given the country and agreed with Taiwan's delegates that ties between the two countries would continue to get stronger.
PHOTO: CNA
On Monday, Chen met with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade shortly after his arrival in the morning. In the afternoon, Chen was briefed by Taiwan's ambassador to Senegal, Tu Chu-shen (杜筑生).
In a speech yesterday, Chen brushed aside suggestions of uncertainty over the continuance of Taiwan-Senegal relations following the election of a new Senegalese president in 2000.
Chen said that the resumption of relations in 1996 under the previous government of Abdou Diouf had only gone ahead with the support of Wade, who had been secretary of state at the time.
"President Wade's first words to me when we met were to bring up the events of 1996, saying that he had agreed to the resumption of diplomatic ties at the time, so naturally these ties would only become more important and develop further during his presidency," Chen said.
Chen said Taiwan and Senegal share many similarities, noting that both countries completed their first peaceful transfer of power in May 2000. For this reason, he said he has paid great attention to Senegal.
Chen added that he believes Senegal is a leader in West Africa and that Taiwan's ties with the nation will have considerable influence on its relations with the region.
During the Monday briefing, Tu said that technological teams from Taiwan have made considerable contributions to Senegal and were greatly trusted by local people.
In return for the assistance that Taiwan has given Senegal in agriculture, education and infrastructure development over the years, Senegal has lobbied for Taiwan's entry into the WHO, WTO and the UN.
During the briefing, Chen thanked Taiwan's technical and agricultural teams for their selfless contributions to Senegal.
He made special mention of agricultural team leader Chen Hsi-hu (陳西虎), who died while posted in Senegal. Chen is known for having asked about the state of the crops from his death bed, and Chen said it was this kind of concern that had won the trust of the Senegalese people.
Chen also met with Senegal Premier Madior Boye. According to Secretary-General to the President Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Boye praised Taiwan's contributions to the nation's infrastructure, education and agriculture.
"In Senegal's National Assembly, I have always emphasized Taiwan's great contributions to our country, so much so that some other of our allies have been unhappy about this," Boye said.
"I have maintained my position on this issue, because Taiwan's technical experts have joined with Senegalese staff in going down to the villages and participating in the actual work of construction, unlike aid workers from other countries, who only occasionally take part in the actual work."
Chen also expressed admiration for Wade's plan for New Partner Development (NEPAD), which has been emphasized by the international community, saying it had even been mentioned in the recent G8 summit.
"It is obvious that President Wade has had outstanding achievement both in domestic construction and international issues," Chen said.
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