President Chen Shui-bian on November 28 met with Mr. Kuniwo Nakamura, former president of the Republic of Palau, at the Presidential Office. On behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), President Chen extended a warm welcome and gratitude to Former President Nakamura.
President Chen lauded the former president as the "godfather" of the political circle in Palau, having served as a congressman and vice president before winning his first term as president in 1992. The former president served two terms in the position, leading his country for eight years. He is a popular figure among the people of Palau due to the many accomplishments of his administration, President Chen said.
The president added that in his two terms, Former President Nakamura made two important decisions that have had a far-reaching impact on the development of his nation. The first was the signing of the Compact of Free Association with the United States during his first term of office in 1994. Palau gained its independence on October 1 of that year, following which it entered the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization and other important international institutions, enabling Palau to become a normalized, complete and great nation. The second important decision made by the former president was during his second term when he established formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in December 1999. The two countries had long maintained cooperative relations, paving the way for the establishment of formal ties between them. President Chen said that the first Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit was held in Palau last year. Participants signed the Palau Declaration, which continues to serve as the framework for cooperative relations between Taiwan and Palau, as well as Taiwan's allies in the Pacific. The second Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit was held this year in Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands. Those attending the summit re-examined the Palau Declaration and the state of its implementation. In addition, an inaugural meeting of the Preparatory Office of the Austronesian Forum was held in Taipei earlier this year at which time it was decided that the permanent home of the Austronesian Forum would be in Palau. The president said that this was a key event in relations between Taiwan and Palau.
President Chen said that last year over 6,000 citizens of Palau signed a petition calling for Former President Nakamura to run again for the presidency in 2008. The president said that this support, which exceeded half of eligible voters in Palau, shows the extent of the popularity the former president enjoys among the people. The president gave the former president his best regards and wished his guest's visit to Taiwan a complete success.
In addition to thanking President Chen for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him, Former President Nakamura also passed along the regards of current Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. The former president also said that the establishment of formal ties between the two countries in 1999 was the correct decision. Both countries share the same fundamental universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, he said. The former president said Palau will continue to assist Taiwan in its efforts to join the UN and other international organizations. He added he hopes that the bilateral relationship will continue to grow to benefit the two countries.
Former President Nakamura was accompanied by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Elizabeth Y. F. Chu to the Presidential Office to meet with President Chen. Deputy Secretary-General to the President Lin Chia-lung was also in attendance.