President Chen Shui-bian met this morning Belize Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Briceno and his wife and thanked the couple for participating in the National Day celebration.
The president thanked Belize Prime Minister Said Musa and his deputy for their longtime support and friendship for Taiwan. Deputy Prime Minister Briceno attended in 1999 in Taiwan the "Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the Republic of China, Central America, and the Dominican Republic." In 2002, he spoke in a General Assembly meeting of the United Nations that Taiwan should be given a membership in the world body. Meanwhile, President Chen called Prime Minister Musa as one of his best friends and his brother as the prime minister has attended every "Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the Republic of China, Central America, and the Dominican Republic."
The president said he had the honor last September to witness in person Belize's prosperity and progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Musa. President Chen also praised Deputy Prime Minister Briceno for his excellent job in helping the prime minister serving his country so Prime Minister Musa could win elections for three consecutive years and organize his cabinet with success.
The president asked Deputy Prime Minister Briceno to invite the prime minister to visit Taiwan. Despite their meeting not long ago in Managua, Nicaragua, President Chen would like to invite Prime Minister Musa to visit Taiwan again so that he can extend his gratitude in person to the prime minister for his support for Taiwan.