Taipei, March 21 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Friday he represents the government in throwing its support behind the U.S.-led military action to disarm Iraq mainly because the United States has helped Taiwan overcome many crises over the years.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with senior executives of the Republic of China Junior Chamber of Commerce.
He told his guests that the government is well-prepared to cope with any emergencies or fallout from the war in Iraq. "The public should have confidence in the government's ability to cope with the latest developments in the world arenas."
The president furhter said the government expressed support for the US. action shortly after the commencement of the war in return for past U.S. assistance and support for the ROC's cause.
With the U.S. assistance, Chen said, Taiwan has managed to tide itself over major crises over the decades, including the 1958 Battle of the Taiwan Strait, the 1996 missile crisis and mainland Chinese intimidation in the run-up to Taiwan's 2000 presidential election.
Moreover, Chen added, the ROC supports the U.S.-led war because it loves peace and opposes any form of terrorism. Noting that Iraq has violated U.N. resolutions demanding that it dismantle its weapons of mass destruction and its biological and chemical weapons, Chen said Iraq's possession of such weapons poses a great threat to world peace.