On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, President Lee Teng-hui accorded this morning a red-carpet welcome with full military honors to President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and his delegation, who are here to participate in the republic's National Day celebrations.
The brief but grand ceremony took place at the Music Hall of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial in Taipei. Following a 21-gun salute and the playing of national anthems of Burkina Faso and the Republic of China, the two Presidents each delivered a speech. Among those present at the occasion were Vice President Lien Chan, Premier Vincent Siew, Judicial Yuan President Shih Chi-yang, Examination Yuan President Hsu Shui-teh, Control Yuan President Wang Tso-yung, and the diplomatic corps to the ROC.
In his speech, President Lee first extended his welcome to President Compaore and other government officials of Burkina Faso, who are visiting the ROC to celebrate its National Day.
President Lee stated that President Compaore is an outstanding statesman in Africa. Under his leadership, Burkina Faso has made remarkable progress during the last decade in its commitment to national development and to promoting the well-being of its people. Meanwhile, President Compaore has raised the international status of his country by actively strengthening its relations with other countries and helping to mediate regional disputes. He has played a crucial role in enhancing political stability and peace in the African region, President Lee said.
Last June, President Compaore became the President en Exercice of the Organization of African Unity. Congratulating President Compaore on his new title, President Lee maintained that this honor proves that President Compaore's contributions have received worldwide affirmation and acclamation.
President Lee asserted that President Compaore's visit in celebration of the ROC's National Day fully shows his sincere friendship toward the ROC government and people, as well as his insistence on the ideals of freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity. President Lee said that he and his people feel very honored by and appreciative of this kind gesture.
President Lee expressed his hope that through the scheduled tour, President Compaore and his delegation will better understand the ROC's developments in these recent years. He said that he will exchange views with the visiting President on the current international situation and matters of common concern, which will help further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between their two countries and bring their relationship even closer.
In his speech, President Compaore expressed his heartiest appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to his delegation. He stated that his visit this time is exclusively for participating in the 87th birthday of the Republic of China--the first republic in Asia, which was founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1912. He said that he wishes to take the opportunity to convey the respect and congratulations of his government and people to the ROC government and people.
He asserted that during the past 87 years, the ROC has moved toward freedom and happiness, and that this development has grown even more solid since President Lee became the first-ever president of the ROC to be elected by popular vote in March 1996. The visiting President commended President Lee as the great engineer who has won the worldwide respect and admiration for this country.
It is the ROC's correct economic policy that has enabled this country to weather the Asian financial crisis, to remain in a sound and prosperous state and thereby, to receive worldwide respect and admiration, President Compaore maintained.
He said that with the ever-increasing international attention, the ROC has established close friendships with many countries around the world through its pragmatic diplomacy. Burkina Faso will continue its support for the ROC and urge the world to accept the ROC, so that the ROC's rights can be restored and justice reinstated, President Compaore added.