Taipei, Aug. 4 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian on Monday praised the 36 people who recently completed their alternative military service overseas, saying that they are a testament to what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
The president made the remarks at a welcome-home celebration sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the servicemen who completed their 26-month alternative military service. Also in attendance were Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien and members of the diplomatic corps stationed in Taiwan.
The president said that "Taiwan reaching out" has long been his wish, noting that he first broached the idea of alternative military service when he noticed the dearth of younger agricultural experts and the fact that older people in the field were retiring from overseas agricultural missions. He said that this, teamed with the need for medical assistance in countries that maintain diplomatic ties with the ROC, made him realize the need for special, technical emissaries from Taiwan. The alternate military service met these needs, the president said. "I am deeply moved to see these 36 honorably-discharged servicemen, knowing that they have strengthened their horizons by doing important work in 21 countries," Chen said.
The president said he was impressed to see the strength of mind and body that was required of them to endure hardships, which he described as "the spirit of Taiwan's sons."
The president also said that the alternative military servicemen have lived up to his ideal of a "volunteer Taiwan and the use of humanitarian diplomacy, " adding that he felt proud of them on behalf of the people of Taiwan for "safely completing their work."
Noting that the number of alternative military servicemen in diplomatic work has increased by 40 percent from previous years, the president said that the alternative military service policy has worked well.
The president urged the young people to think seriously of continuing their work to help others by joining the ROC diplomatic field or with international aid organizations. Chen said their contributions would be a shot in the arm for Taiwan's humanitarian diplomacy.