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24 March 2000

Text: Lee Hamilton Remarks at American Institute in Taiwan March 24

(Former U.S. Congressman is favorably impressed with Chen) (460)
Former U.S. Congressman Lee Hamilton praised Taiwan's President-elect
Chen Shui-bian for his "prudent, positive statements on cross-strait
relations" since the election this month.
Hamilton met Chen during a personal visit to Taiwan. In remarks to the
press at the American Institute in Taiwan March 24, Hamilton said he
was impressed with the vitality of Taiwan's democratic system and
aware of the challenges it faces. He reiterated U.S. interests in "the
preservation of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait
region."
Hamilton promised to share his views with President Bill Clinton, his
senior advisors, and members of the U.S. Congress.
Hamilton, a Democrat from Indiana, served in the U.S. House of
Representatives from 1965 to 1999, most notably as chairman of the
House International Affairs Committee. He is currently the director of
the Woodrow Wilson International center for Scholars in Washington,
D.C.
Following is the text of Hamilton's remarks, as prepared for delivery:
(begin text)
AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN
TAIPEI PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
PR-2000-17                                March 24, 2000
DEPARTURE STATEMENT
FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN LEE HAMILTON
(As prepared for delivery)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the media, for joining me today. I
would like to make a brief statement that, I believe, will cover all
the topics of interest. I do not plan to take any questions.
It has been my great honor to be in Taiwan just a few days after last
Saturday's presidential election. I came in a private capacity and
leave both impressed with the vitality of your democratic system and
also alerted to the challenges that face Taiwan, the United States,
and the PRC in preserving peace, stability, and prosperity in this
region. I would like to thank President Lee, President-elect Chen, and
the others who took time out from their very busy schedule to meet
with me. I had very productive discussions with President-elect Chen
and his key advisors. I emphasized my admiration for what the people
of Taiwan have achieved and my sense of the United States' fundamental
interest in the preservation of peace, stability, and prosperity in
the Taiwan Strait region. I have been impressed by President-elect
Chen's prudent, positive statements on cross-strait relations since
the election. After I return to Washington, I will share my views and
what I have learned with the President and his senior advisors as well
as my friends in Congress.
Let me again congratulate President-elect Chen on his victory and the
people of Taiwan.
Thank you and goodbye.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)