President Chen Shui-bian (
"Not only did we consolidate the friendship with our diplomatic allies, we also engaged in a wide range of substantive talks and were warmly received by non-allied countries. We've gathered an abundant harvest from this overseas visit, which has laid the groundwork for the expansion of Taiwan's future international participation," Chen said yesterday.
The president made the remarks immediately after his chartered plane touched down at CKS International Airport at 3:30pm yesterday.
PHOTO: CHU PEI-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Thousands of Chen's supporters, as well as political bigwigs including Vice President Annette Lu (
Reversals
That warm reception came after a journey filled with dramatic reversals. Chen at the last minute rejected the US' offer to transit through Anchorage, Alaska after failing to secure longer, higher-profile visits to major US cities such as New York City or Los Angeles.
Instead, he made diplomatic advances by transiting through non-allied countries such as Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Tripoli, Libya and Batam Island, Indonesia.
The president said the point of his journey was to safeguard the country's dignity and strive for diplomatic breakthroughs.
"As a president representing Taiwan, I can't let Taiwan's dignity be undermined. We did not disappoint Taiwan and make it lose face ... no matter how great the pressure is, we will never give up," the president said.
Chen emphasized that the transit spat between the US and Taiwan would not hurt the future bilateral relations.
"Although we did not transit through the US, both Taiwan and the US have continued to have smooth communication, and have engaged in direct and immediate dialogue to reach a high level of consensus on the direction of future work and our common interests," the president said.
"The foundation of Taiwan-US relations remains strong, and was not affected by temporary disturbances and outside suspicions," the president stated yesterday.
During his visit to Latin America, Chen made a state visit to Paraguay and attended Costa Rican President Oscar Alias' inauguration ceremony. He met with US first lady Laura Bush and several US congressmen who expressed their support for Chen amid his diplomatic struggles.
Libyan stop
The biggest advance of Chen's trip was a surprise visit on Wednesday to Libya. Chen confirmed yesterday that he met with Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, and that the two signed a memorandum of understanding to establish mutual representative offices and to expand bilateral commercial relations.
The president yesterday said that Qaddafi had personally given him two reasons why Libya resisted China's opposition and insisted on extending to Chen and his delegation the highest diplomatic courtesy.
First, the Libyan leader said that China itself engaged in a great deal of business activity with Taiwan, and therefore it was implausible for Beijing to try to stop Libya from having contact with Taiwan.
Second, China's military maintains relations with Israel, which is considered an enemy of the Islamic world. This has annoyed Libya and only furthered its determination to engage with Taiwan, Chen said Qaddafi told him.
Addressing a jubilant crowd of supporters outside the airport, Chen yesterday reaffirmed his determination to maximize the opportunities to increase the country's diplomatic space.
"My conclusion is: if Taiwan wants to stand up and step out in the international community, we have to make our own way. Where there is a will, there is a way ... because we are the uncrushable roses," said the president.
Defending huang
Chen yesterday also defended foreign minister James Huang (
"If the minister ever lied, I believe he did not do it on purpose. It is because he wanted to achieve a `mission impossible.' Besides, diplomats are accorded with the privilege to lie. Although there are voices asking him to step down, I've decided that he will not go," Chen said via broadcast intercom in his chartered plane shortly after its landing in Taipei.
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