Taipei, Feb. 2 (CNA) The world will understand the Taiwan people's desire for democracy and peace, and their resentment of Beijing's missile threat, because the government has faithfully and thoroughly expressed this view, President Chen Shui-bian said Monday.
In a New Year party thrown by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for foreign diplomats in Taipei, the president said the island's forthcoming presidential election, the planned referendum and the country's ties with the mainland China have been the cause of great concern among many of Taiwan's friends.
Although a few countries did not see eye to eye with Taiwan on its planned referendum, Chen said, the differences were gradually straightened out through intensive communications, and more and more of Taiwan's foreign friends have come to understand that referendum is an inevitable step to cement the country's democracy. "In the next month, " he went on, "you will see Taiwan people displaying their faith in democracy and their desire for peace by their casting of ballots in the presidential election and the referendum."
Chen said he hopes all foreign diplomats posted to Taiwan will be Taiwan's peace envoys who will relay the Taiwan people's feelings to their own countries and generate more support for the Republic of China.