Taipei, July 17 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian welcomed visiting Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide with full military honors in downtown Taipei Wednesday.
President Chen presided over the welcoming ceremony held at the square at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. After a 21-gun salute and the playing of the national anthems of the two countries, Chen and Aristide inspected the honor guards of the Republic of China armed forces.
Aristide, accompanied by a 40-member entourage, arrived in Taipei Tuesday for his first visit to the ROC since his re-election in 2000.
President Chen said that on behalf of the ROC government and people, he is elated to welcome Aristide's visit. He lauded the leader from the Caribbean country as an outstanding statesman.
He said that Aristide was elected as the first popular president in 1990 when Haiti held its first democratic presidential election. Chen said that Aristide, who was elected again and assumed the post Feb. 2001, has worked to improve the life of the people, enhance their welfare, and has dedicated himself to democratic reforms and national construction during his time as president.
Noting that Aristide first visited Taiwan in 1992, President Chen said that this visit will enable the Haitian president to compare Taiwan now and Taiwan a decade ago and thereby provide Chen with a valuable reference in striving for his own country's development.
President Chen said that he would take the opportunity of Aristide's visit to exchange views with him on current affairs and matters of mutual concern. He also said he hopes that Aristide and his entourage will come to understand more about Taiwan's current political, economic, social and cultural situations through the visit.