Taipei, Dec. 3 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Friday that as a national leader, he will holds his stance firm and will not be easily swayed.
Chen made the remarks when he received U.S. Congressman James Langevin at the Presidential Office.
The president said that after he won a second term in the March 20 presidential election, he felt an ever greater sense of responsibility. As Taiwan is in a very difficult plight, he said that as the nation's leader, he must consider cross-strait relations, international factors and the different views within Taiwan when dealing with national affairs.
With only one week before the crucial Dec. 11 legislative elections, "our stance is firm, and we will not be swayed by other factors," Chen said.
He said Taiwan has the determination to safeguard itself and that the Executive Yuan has proposed a special budget to purchase submarines, anti-submarine aircraft and Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile batteries from the United States.
He told his visitor that if the "pan-green camp" of his party and its ally, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, can command a clear majority in the Legislative Yuan, it will facilitate the passing of the arms procurement deal in the legislature.
The president also expressed his appreciation for Langevin's support for Taiwan's bid to be an observer in the World Health Organization, his urging for the United States to abide by its commitment to Taiwan's security in a meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, and his opposition to the European Union's lifting of an arms embargo against mainland China.
He also apologized to Langevin that first lady Wu Shu-chen, who originally wanted to accompany him to receive the U.S. congressman, was not well enough to be present, but he thanked Langevin for taking time to see Wu during the first lady's visit to Washington, D.C. in 2002.
Chen noted that Langevin was the first U.S. Congressman to serve while paralyzed and that his wife was also paralyzed from the waist down after being run over by a truck 20 years ago. She was also the first legislator in a wheelchair when she was elected as a legislator in 1986.
The president expressed his admiration for Langevin perseverance, noting that he has been confined to a wheelchair for 24 years.
James Huang, vice secretary-general of the Presidential Office, said later that Chen's long-standing stance is seeking a better economy and major reforms to make Taiwan a normal and complete country, and to pursue a lasting cross-strait peace.