Taipei, Nov. 22 (CNA) President Lee Teng-hui met with former US Senator Bob Dole on Monday, expressing his appreciation for the assistance the United States has extended to Taiwan since the Sep. 21 earthquake.
Stressing that the Republic of China government has been actively carrying out the reconstruction task in disaster areas, President Lee expressed the hope that the hard hit regions will be able to create a new face through the concerted efforts of the government and private sector.
Given the fact that the ROC is already a democracy, President Lee told Dole that both the ROC government and its people are determined to protect this system and further increase the well-being of all its citizens.
For his part, Dole hailed the ROC government's performance in its post-quake relief and reconstruction mission and voiced his support for Taiwan's efforts to enter into international security arrangements and to join international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
As the US Senate has recently passed a resolution backing Taiwan's bid to join the WHO, Dole particularly expressed the hope that Taiwan will also be able to enter the WTO by early next year. He also said that the US should help Taiwan upgrade its defense capabilities.
Dole arrived in Taipei last week for a weeklong visit in Taiwan.