President Chen Shui-bian met with former US National Security Council senior director Kenneth Lieberthal on June 29 at the Office of the President, and praised him for his profound experience and insight regarding the cross-strait relations.
The president thanked Lieberthal for his long-time support for Taiwan, and said he was impressed by Lieberthal's new interpretation of the "interim agreement" proposed during his previous visit to Taiwan in April 2005, when the then opposition leaders Lien Chan of the Kuomintang (KMT) and James Soong of the People First Party (PFP) were about to visit China. "I was impressed by your reformulation of the interim agreement, which does not pre-set any suppositions or conclusions," the president said to his guest. KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou also mentioned to him the same concept this year when Ma returned from the United States, he added.
The president said that in view of Lieberthal's insight and experience in the cross-strait issues, he must have valuable opinions to offer regarding promoting cross-strait talks.
Lieberthal thanked the president for taking time to meet with him, and suggested that economic and cultural interaction across the Taiwan Strait should reduce the tension.
Speaking of promoting cross-strait talks, the president also thanked US President George Bush for continuously encouraging the Chinese leaders to consent to a dialogue with Taiwan. Peace in the Taiwan Strait, the president said, should be of the utmost interests for Taiwan, Japan and the United States. Taiwan's internal political contention will not change his determination to maintain the cross-strait peace, he added.
Lieberthal's visit to the Office of the President was accompanied by Taiwan Vice Foreign Minister Francisco L.Y. Hwang. Secretary-General to the President Mark Chen was also present in the meeting.