President Chen Shui-bian met with South Africa Former President Frederik Willem De Klerk and his wife at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of January 24. President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed his highest respects and appreciation to the former leader of South Africa for coming to Taiwan again, this time to attend the Global Forum on New Democracies.
The president said that Former President De Klerk also attended a meeting in Taiwan in January last year in preparation for the establishment of the Forum. He has lent his support and encouragement throughout the entire process, and decided to attend the first formal meeting of the Forum in Taipei, he said. President Chen said political transformation and economic transition share a close relationship for all new democracies. The transition process is an extremely complicated and at times frustrating one. Sometimes, outside influences can damage plans or cause things to run against expectations. The president said that South Africa is a successful example of a country that has democratized and is a model for others. He said he hopes Former President De Klerk will share his valuable experience with Taiwan.
President Chen lauded Former President De Klerk for accomplishing many things during his presidency that other political leaders throughout the world could only dream of. He said that even if others followed the former president's example, they were not as effective as Former President De Klerk. In 1989, Mr. De Klerk became the head of the National Party and also president of South Africa. Within three months of his inauguration as president, he visited Nelson Mandela, the leader of the African National Congress and ultimately released him from prison. This marked the beginning of a number of reforms in South Africa, including the lifting of a ban on political parties and the end to restrictions on press freedom. All of these were impressive political achievements, President Chen said. Even more admirable is that the former president then promoted political negotiation and reconciliation, dismantled the apartheid system and was instrumental in promoting a democratic constitution. The new constitution is a document that provides fundamental rights to all people of South Africa. The constitution also enforces democracy, freedom, human rights, equality and justice as core principles in South Africa. The fundamental principle of the nation's Truth and Reconciliation Commission is that there can be no reconciliation with truth. These steps have made South Africa a success and an example for others in the overall process of transition, the president said.
Former President De Klerk said that Taiwan and South Africa have a relationship that dates back a long time. He recalled that the first time he visited Taiwan, he was a government minister. Subsequently, he also visited Taiwan as president, vice president and former president of his country. In all, he has traveled to Taiwan seven or eight times. The former president believes that describing Taiwan as a new democracy does not do justice to the nation, as Taiwan should be considered a mature democracy. He said he expects the Global Forum on New Democracies to offer a wonderful opportunity to discuss issues and exchange experiences.