Chen continues on trip of shame after Lebanon snub
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's plane has departed from Abu Dhabi for Paraguay after he was barred from landing in Beirut, according to the foreign ministry in Taipei.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's plane has departed from Abu Dhabi for Paraguay after he was barred from landing in Beirut, according to the foreign ministry in Taipei.
The plane had earlier been in the air for 10 hours before landing in Abu Dhabi about 5.50pm Thursday, the cable CTI news network reported.
"We had had no idea where we were heading for until the plane touched down," the reporter said.
Foreign ministry spokesman Michel Lu confirmed Chen had taken off from Abu Dhabi and was "heading for the direction of Paraguay."
Lu was tight-lipped when asked to comment on television reports that Chen would make a stop in the Dominican Republic, another of only 25 countries that recognize Taipei rather than Beijing.
"Anyway, the president will be there [in Paraguay] in time to attend the scheduled activities," Lu said.
The Lebanese authorities prevented Chen's plane from landing in Beirut after a strong protest from China, a Lebanese government source said.
Earlier in the day, Chen unexpectedly dropped plans to stop in the United States en route to Latin America, angered by a US decision not to allow a higher-profile visit.
Chen accused Beijing of bullying Washington about the stopover.
While announcing that Chen would not be stopping in Alaska on his outward journey, Lu said it was uncertain whether the president would make a stop on his way back from Latin America.
He declined to comment on press reports that Chen might visit Libya or Lebanon, which recognize Beijing.
Speaking shortly before his departure, Chen accused Beijing of thwarting his plans to make a higher- profile US visit by putting pressure on Washington.
"China suppressed Taiwan in the international community ... it bullied our friends not to let our high-ranking officials visit or make transit stops."
Beijing has repeatedly said Taiwan is the most important issue in Sino-US relations and has warned against Washington approving transit stops for Taiwanese officials.
Although the details of Chen's earlier proposals were not spelt out, Taiwan media said the foreign ministry had hoped that he would be able to stop in San Francisco and New York to meet US congressmen.
But Washington rejected the plan, saying Chen could only make refueling stops in Hawaii or in Anchorage, Alaska.
The whole trip is regarded as particularly sensitive as it comes on the heels of President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States last month. Beijing opposes any overseas visits by top government officials from Taiwan.
Taiwan Foreign Minister James Huang said he understood that Washington had to compromise with Beijing to win its support on issues surrounding Iran, North Korea and Sudan.
But he echoed Chen's comments in accusing Beijing of using its diplomatic clout to influence Washington.
State Department officials insisted the decision was consistent with its long-standing policy requests from Taiwan leaders for transit.
But in recent years, Chen was able to make stopovers in New York and Los Angeles on previous trips to Latin America.
Washington's apparent reluctance to host Chen is in contrast to the warm reception given to opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou during his US trip in March.
Ma's Kuomintang said Washington is showing its annoyance with Chen's move to abolish Taiwan's unification council, an initiative that angered Beijing and is seen as an attempt to alter the delicate status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
George Tsai, a professor at National Chengchi University's Institute of International Relations, said Chen's decision to cancel the Alaska stopover reflects his anger that Washington had vetoed his earlier plans.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
thestandard.com.hk |
