President Lee Teng-hui this morning confers an Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on U.S. Senator Paul Simon (D-Ill.) in recognition of his contribution toward the enhancement of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of China and the United States of America.
The decoration ceremony is held at the Office of the President, and Mrs. Simon and their son Martin Simon are also invited to witness it.
On behalf of the government and people of the ROC, President Lee appreciates Senator Simon's incessant efforts over the past decades at helping boost friendly relations between the ROC and the United States.
For his part, Senator Simon says that he is "honored by this special recognition that symbolizes the ties of friendship between the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan and the people of the United States."
"I am grateful for your recognition and I look forward to continuing to work with you even if it is not from the Senate floor," adds he.
Meanwhile, the Senator urges the U.S. government to encourage the ROC's active participation and membership in international organizations, to openly welcome visits by ROC officials to the United States, and to encourage prominent U.S. officials to make visits to Taiwan.
The United States as a champion of freedom should support the Republic of China which shares the American value system of freedom, democracy and human rights, he notes.
"Where it is consistent with our principles, we should cooperate with the People's Republic of China,.... but we should consistently make clear our support of human rights...... and when and if the PRC uses the threat of force against her neighbours,...... the PRC's leadership should know that the community of nations will not tolerate that," Senator Simon points out.
Dr. Ding Mou-shih, Secretary-General of the ROC National Security Council, Mr. Stephen S.F. Chen, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the President, and Mr. Christopher Lafleur, Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei Office, are also present at the ceremony.