President Ma Ying-jeou met with United States Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of August 13. During the meeting, the president said he hopes that the United States will seriously consider selling Taiwan F-16C/D series jet fighters. He also expressed his hope that the United States will agree to include Taiwan in the US visa waiver program and that the two sides will sign an extradition agreement. Meanwhile, President Ma stated his desire for the two sides to engage in bilateral investment and trade negotiations under the framework of a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
President Ma explained that since his inauguration he has actively sought to improve relations between Taiwan and mainland China and reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait. These efforts have increased mutual trust between Taiwan and the United States, enabling both sides to reach consensus on many issues. President Ma specially thanked the US government for approving a total of nearly US$6.5 billion of arms sales to Taiwan in October 2008 and January of this year. This will provide Taiwan with defensive weaponry, helping to maintain security in the Taiwan Strait. The president also expressed his appreciation to the United States for supporting Taiwan's flexible diplomacy policy and for assisting Taiwan in participating in the World Health Assembly.
President Ma praised Senator Specter for his experience and background in the political area. He has served as a senator for over 30 years, and in 2006 was selected by Time magazine as one of America's 10 best senators. The president added that Senator Specter is a member of the Senate Taiwan Caucus and has consistently supported Taiwan. This is his fifth visit to Taiwan, he noted. The president also commented that last year during the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, Senator Specter signed a letter sent to President Obama affirming the contribution of the Taiwan Relations Act to Taiwan-US relations. President Ma also said he hopes that Senator Specter will continue to support Taiwan in its effort to participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Senator Specter was accompanied to the Presidential Office in the afternoon by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ssu-Tsun Shen to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting were Eric H. Madison, Acting Director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan, and National Security Council Secretary-General Hu Wei-jen.