President Chen Shui-bian attended a dinner party on September 21 hosted by overseas Taiwanese in Florida and gave a speech. The president spoke of his vision that a "democratic and human rights Taiwan" co-exists with a "democratic and human rights China" peacefully and the two work together for their mutual benefit and joint prosperity.
The president also demonstrated his sincerity and goodwill, and invited the leaders from across the Taiwan Strait to make peace and hold rational dialogue regardless of time and place, and without any pre-conditions. With these efforts, the two sides can open "a window of opportunity" for cross-strait democracy and peace.
Before the president's speech, U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen presented Chen with a U.S. flag certificate and a congressional record through her deputy chief of staff in Miami. The event also featured the video of representative Tom Lantos giving the "human rights award" to the president on behalf of the "U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus," which took place earlier in the day. Acting Chairman William Brown of American Institute in Taiwan also gave a speech welcoming the president's transit stop in Miami.
The president's speech:
This evening is truly a historical moment. Just now, I received from a human rights fighter and the co-chairman of the "U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus" -- Representative Tom Lantos -- the "human rights award." This award is not just an honor to me, but to the 23 million people of Taiwan.
As Bo Yang -- a democratic movement activist and a writer that I respect the most – once said: "During the white terror era, how many mothers wept through the long nights?" He said this to describe the fear that Taiwanese people had undergone during that period of time, for he knew that the lives of mothers' children were in danger with their rights being deprived.
Taiwan's road to democracy was bumpy and yet we have been courageous all through the way. Representative Tom Lantos as well as many of the friends who care about Taiwan are the witnesses of the development of this "democratic Taiwan" and the "human rights Taiwan." And I have the honor to tell you that before becoming the leader of "a nation founded upon the principles of human rights," I had worked as a human rights lawyer and a member of Taiwan's democratic movement.
As a president directly chosen by Taiwan's 23 million people, I am proud to say that in today's Taiwan, there is no political blacklist, and there is no religious persecution. People enjoy fully the freedom of speech, of association and action. Although Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, we never slow down our reform in quest of human rights and freedom.
Not only have the people in Taiwan chosen their national leader and representatives through ballots, but also have they done the policy-making through the use of referendum. The military of Taiwan now belongs to the country, so does the intelligence agency. In the past, the military used to be the tool for the authoritarian regime to oppress its people when there was no distinction between party and state. We now have the kind of elections that are regular, fair and open. And the practice of bribery and vote buying is losing its clout.
The realization of the "democratic Taiwan" and the "human rights Taiwan" has been done through people's insisting on the universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights. And it is gradually done under China's military threat, diplomatic blockade and constant united-front tactics.
I've always believed there is no perfect democracy in the world. Our ultimate goal is to nurture, cement and expand democracy, making democracy, peace and human rights the world's common language. We should make people in every corner of the world enjoy the complete freedom to express, to move and to live.
There are two camps in the world. One embraces democracy and freedom. It pursues peace and stability. This is what we called the "community of democracies." The other rejects and deprives people's right of democracy and freedom. It engages in arms races, in producing terrorist attacks and in threatening regional and global security. This is what I call the "anti-democratic camp."
The mission for the members of this "community of democracies" -- just like what President Bush said in his second-term inaugural speech this year -- is "to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture..." This is also the obligation and responsibility that Taiwan, as a member of the "community of democracies," is willing to take.
I fully understand the expectations of the international society that both sides of the Taiwan Straits should resume dialogues and maintain cross-Strait peace. But I must remind the world community that the problem between Taiwan and China is by no means a problem of A working with B to jointly manage or maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait. The crux of the issue is that China is avoiding dialogue with Taiwan's popularly-elected government. They not only increased the number of missiles pointed at Taiwan, but passed the so-called "anti-separation law," stating clear that they are allowed to use "non-peaceful" means to resolve the Taiwan issues.
I want to thank the Bush administration for its repeated appeal for the Beijing leader "to hold dialogue with Taiwan's popularly-elected president and government." The message shows respect to the "democratic and human rights Taiwan." And it also shows the basic principle in dealing with cross-Strait issues, that any decision to be made should first gain the approval from Taiwan's 23 million people.
I have always held in my mind a beautiful vision that a "democratic Taiwan of human rights" co-exists with a "democratic China of human rights" peacefully and the two work together for their mutual benefit and joint prosperity. I would like to once again demonstrate my sincerity and goodwill, and invite leaders from across the Taiwan Strait to make peace and hold rational dialogue regardless of time and place, and without any pre-conditions. And then together we open "a window of opportunity" for cross-strait democracy and peace.
Whether this "window of opportunity" can be successfully opened depends on the creativity and patience of the people across the Strait. It also depends on the continuous concern and support of the international society. The "U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus" is the catalyst of human rights in the world. And it plays a critical role in connecting the "democratic Taiwan" with the "democratic China," as well as the "Taiwan human rights" with the "human rights China."
Just to count on the Taiwanese president to trip alone is not enough, if the "democratic Taiwan" is to stand up and the "Taiwan of human rights" is to reach out to the world. All of you, including those who are overseas, are the diplomatic pioneers of Taiwan. Expatriates have not only been the mother of the revolutions of the Republic of China, but also the father of Taiwan's democratic reform.
The work of consolidating diplomatic ties is never easy. I have been racing against time and fighting with bad weather. Before I arrived in Miami, there was Hurricane Rita. Some media in Taiwan have used the headline such as "A-bian's Stopover in Miami Stalled by the Storm" to highlight the difficulties I have gone through. It is fortunate, however, that Hurricane Rita did not cause major damages. It truly makes one to believe that God bless Florida and that God bless America. And my successful trip to Miami proves that as long as we make enough efforts, we will prevail at last.
I have completed 21 schedules from 6: 30 this morning till now, and there are still two to be finished, which makes it 23. But no pain no gain. Through out the day, I have met in person, on telephone and via teleconference, with leaders and caucus whips of the Senate and the House of the Representatives, along with the chairman of U.S. House of Representatives Committee on International Relations. They have all extended their welcome to my transit stop, and have praised Taiwan for our democratic achievement.
I hope earnestly that each of you make the best of your influences overseas, marketing the "democratic Taiwan" and deepening the image of the "human rights Taiwan," so the international community will have more faith in us. I also hope that you put together the resources you can find to get Taiwan involved into the international society. Let Taiwan be heard and be seen in the world. Promote the visibility and the international image of Taiwan. And together, we realize the dream of a democratic world and a world of human rights.
I will not let you down, and I want to thank you for your long-term and eager support for Taiwan and the government. I hope that you will always be Taiwan's staunchest supporters. Good health and happiness and success to all the distinguished guests here, and best wishes for prosperity to our country – Taiwan.