Taipei, April 4 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian praised the late Pope John Paul II Monday for his legacy of peace and espousal of "peaceful means" to deal with international disputes and social as well as political issues.
Chen said that while mourning the great religious leader's death, people from across the Taiwan Strait should also emulate the pope's lifetime efforts of seeking peace and happiness for all human beings, by addressing cross-strait differences in a peaceful manner.
In a formal statement delivered at the Presidential Office on the pope's passing, Chen said that Pope John Paul II always made clear that peace must be built on a foundation of love, justice, truth and liberty -- the "four pillars of peace, " as he called them.
These "four pillars of peace" should also serve in guiding today's efforts to resolve international disputes via diplomacy, Chen added. "I believe that only when both sides of the Taiwan Strait respect and follow the 'four pillars of peace, ' can peace prevail across the strait," Chen stressed.
He said that with the pope's death, the Catholics of the world have lost their most beloved shepherd, while the world as a whole has lost one of its strongest leaders.
Chen said that as the Vatican's staunchest diplomatic ally, he is representing the Republic of China government as well as the island's 23 million people in expressing Taiwan's deepest condolences for the passing of the pope.
Chen recalled that in July 2003, his wife, Wu Shu-jen, on behalf of himself and the ROC government and people, visited the Vatican to congratulate Pope John Paul II on the 25th anniversary of his assuming the papacy. During the visit, Wu met with the pope in person. "My wife still vividly remembers the meeting, " Chen said, adding that "she told me that the pope's hand was soft and warm and his kindness and sincerity toward people just as unforgettable."
Wu also presented the pope with a letter written by Chen himself in which he expressed his total agreement with the pope's "four pillars of peace."
Chen reiterated that Taiwan is more than willing to play the role of a "loyal guard of international order" and a "staunch supporter of democracy and peace." "Only when we exercise democracy, peace, freedom and respect, can the people live in a world where there is no violence, no war and no discrimination," Chen stressed.