Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui and his wife left for Britain on Tuesday for a six-day private visit. President Lee's journey is a major political breakthrough and a symbolic milestone for Taiwan. President Lee's entourage included Lin Pi-chao, a deputy secretary-general to the President, and 10-plus security personnel and President Lee's close aides. Sources said Lin's British friends and the Taiwan government have assisted in arranging Lee's overseas trip
During his visit, President Lee will be granted honorary membership of the Schumpeter Joseph A academic forum in Manchester in northwestern England and will deliver a speech there on June 29 on Taiwan's political and economic development after World War II. Receiving the Schumpeter membership is one of the most important items on Lee's itinerary. The Schumpeter chair was established in commemoration of the economist Joseph Schumpeter. Schumpeter, who lived from 1883-1950, was renowned for his theories on the evolution of capitalism and economic cycles. An Austrian finance minister, he was highly influential in the field of economics.
President Lee and his wife will also attend their granddaughter's commencement from a British senior high school. In addition, Lee will meet Taiwanese community leaders, visit prestigious British think tanks and tour cultural relics and tourist attractions.
China spares no effort to block his overseas visit as part of its diplomatic embargo against Taiwan. Against this background, President Lee adopted a low-profile approach toward his Britain visit to avoid bringing troubles to the British government.
Lee is scheduled to return to Taipei on July 2. It remains unclear whether Lee will travel to other countries after his Britain visit.
During his 12-year stint as the Taiwan President, President Lee pushed for Taiwan's democratization and endeavored to upgrade Taiwan's international profile.
President Lee visited many countries during his presidential tenure, including several countries which recognize Beijing. His landmark visit to the United States in 1995 angered Beijing as mainland leaders viewed the trip as a veiled move to promote Taiwan independence.
Beijing then launched saber-rattling against Taiwan. It even lobbed missiles and conducted live-fire war games at Taiwan's doorsteps in the run-up to Taiwan's first-ever direct presidential election in 1996 with an aim to sway Taiwan voters from President Lee. Undaunted by Beijing's intimidation, Lee won a landslide in the vote.
Tension in the Taiwan Strait escalated again after Lee defined relations across the Taiwan Strait as a "special state-to-state relationship" July 1999. In retaliation, Beijing announced indefinite postponement of its top negotiator with Taiwan Wang Daohan's planned visit to Taiwan, originally scheduled for last autumn, and suspended cross-strait dialogue.
Lee stepped down from the chairmanship of the Kuomintang , which marked an end to the KMT's 55-year grip on power in Taiwan.
President Lee Teng-hui returned to Taiwan Sunday evening from a trip to Britain.
He left for Britain on June 27 to attend his granddaughter's high school graduation. He was accompanied during the trip by his wife Tseng Wen-hui.
While in Britain, he met with former British prime minister Magret Thatcher, Lee arrived at the Thatcher Foundation at around 10 a.m., and had a cordial meeting with Thatcher. The two discussed current world affairs, a foundation spokesman Mark Worthington said. President Lee Teng-hui received an honorary membership of the Schumpeter Academic Forum in Manchester, and toured the British Museum and some other tourist attractions. At noon, Lee arrived at the Houses of Parliament and was given a guided tour by Tom Cox and Nicholas Winterton, co-chairmen of the parliament's cross-party Anglo-Taiwan Group.Afterwards, several members of the group entertained Lee with a banquet in his honor in a parliamentary clubroom.
Because of communist China's protest, he did not deliver a speech at an annual meeting of the forum. Instead, Lin Bih-jaw, a deputy secretary to the President, read the text of Lee's speech at the meeting.
Lee and his wife were greeted at the airport by Foreign Minister Wu Tzu-dan, and other officials.
It's official now; former President Lee Teng-hui is making his first overseas trip since leaving office and his first trip to a country that does not recognize Taiwan since the controversial 1995 visit to his alma mater, Cornell University.
China's protests have rung out in their accustomed fashion, but this time the pressure tactics seem to have faltered. Amid feverish speculation about Lee's possible future overseas itineraries, Beijing has spared no effort to try to prevent any foreign visits, leading some commentators to describe his situation as "house arrest." Naturally such commentators are crowing now, calling the UK trip a major breakthrough for Taiwan.
It is and it isn't. On the one hand, the symbolism is certainly rich. During his presidency, Lee gained a level of international celebrity unmatched by any other Taiwanese, earning the appellation "Mr Democracy" in the international media. Conversely, the Chinese propaganda machine targeted Lee personally in a manner unusual for both its harshness and its scale; in volumes of criticisms issued over the years, Lee has been subjected to many epithets. So the fact that he is able to go to Britain and give a public speech, especially in the face of Chinese condemnation, resonate strongly with the Taiwanese people.
Lee has a golden opportunity to enhance the understanding and sympathy of the rest of the world for Taiwan. His speech will gather extensive international media coverage. Since he is likely to focus on his own contributions and achievements, he should be able to increase positive perceptions of Taiwan's new democracy.
We certainly hope that Lee will follow this visit with similar trips to other countries. He might even make something of a new career out of it, travelling the world as a kind of goodwill ambassador for Taiwan.
Lee's trip is a first for Taiwan. Never before has Taiwan had an ex-president at all, let alone one who travelled abroad. The simple fact that we have one today is itself well worth cheering as one more milestone in the evolution of our democracy.
對於李前總統到訪英國進行私人訪問,中國已對英國政府表達強烈抗議,並且展開一連串施壓動作,柴契爾夫人對此情況十分了解,因此她的上述談話具有特殊深意。
李前總統預定英國時間二十九日前往曼徹斯特接受熊彼得基金會頒贈榮譽會員證,英國泰晤士報傳出在中國壓力下此一節目將有變化;不過據指出,李前總統一行目前仍按原定計畫進行,並未改變行程,也未接到主辦單位通知取消。
李前總統與柴契爾夫人的會談是在柴契爾夫人位於倫敦的辦公室舉行,柴契爾曾於九二年訪台,相隔七年,兩位老友久別重逢,格外親切,交談中不時傳出陣陣笑聲,兩人交談四十餘分鐘。
李前總統與柴契爾夫人就近年來世局的變化充分交換意見,包括歐洲、美國與亞洲的政治發展與經濟情勢,都是兩位世界級領袖的對話範圍。
柴契爾夫人特別就中國問題指出,中國擁有廣大土地、人力的優勢,在此一基礎上,如果中國實施的是民主政治與自由經濟制度,中國人在世界上將是非常厲害的角色,可惜的是,中國往這方面前進的腳步過於緩慢。
李前總統對此深有同感,他表示,中國老是在被列強欺侮的思維中繞不出路來,現在反以霸權主義壓迫亞洲鄰國,中國若實施民主,可以充分把人民的創造力發揮出來,不僅中國的前景可以大幅向上躍升,也可促進亞太區域的和平與穩定。
柴契爾夫人提及在亞洲金融風暴中,台灣仍有相對卓越的經濟表現,李前總統就此說明,台灣能夠安度危機,最主要的是政府廉潔,以及中小企業為主體的經濟結構,在面對風暴時,台灣以靈活的身段迅速調整經營體質,因此仍能維持不惡的經濟成長。
歐洲聯盟十五國在去年元月開始採行歐洲單一貨弊,英國並未加入歐元體系,現任首相布雷爾主張,英國可能在二○○二年至二○○五年之間加入歐元體系,就此,柴契爾夫人抱持保留立場。
柴契爾說,英國各界目前對於是否採取歐元的看法相當分歧,就經濟層面而言,英國現在的通膨率約與歐元成員國相當,但歐元區平均失業率高達十%,約為英國的一倍,採行歐元的成敗非英國所能掌握,因此必須審慎為之。
李總統預定英國時間二十九日前往曼徹斯特接受熊彼得基金會頒贈榮譽會員證,英國泰晤士報傳出在中國壓力下此一節目將有變化;不過據指出,李總統一行目前仍按原定計畫進行,並未改變行程,也未接到主辦單位通知取消。
泰晤士報說,李登輝原本要以貴賓身分出席由曼徹斯特大學副校長主持的一場午宴,不過曼大校方二十七日晚間表示,有鑑於李登輝此行引起的風波,加上擔心他上次造訪西方國家大學校園之後所發生的事會再次重演,這場午宴已經取消。
泰晤士報說,發給李登輝簽證,是英國多年來對台灣最強烈的一項支持表態;就中國的立場而言,邀請李登輝來訪顯示倫敦有可能會認同台灣的主權地位,為此,中國外交部已向英國提出強烈的抗議與嚴正交涉。
中國外交部發言人朱邦造警告說,李登輝英國之行可能會影響到中英兩國的關係。朱邦造說:「我們強烈反對李登輝訪問英國,並已向英國政府提出嚴正交涉。他是一個麻煩製造者,因此我方已經明白要求英國政府信守一個中國承諾,以實際行動來維護中英關係的大局。」
李登輝伉儷 今飛英訪問一週(06/28)
〔記者鄒景雯╱台北報導〕據了解,總統李登輝伉儷在卸任一個多月後,將在今日(六月二十八日)搭機前往英國進行私人訪問,訪英期間他將在曼徹斯特接受熊彼得(Schumpeter Joseph A)學術講座頒贈榮譽會員身分,這是我國重要政治領袖順利走出去的一大突破,具有試金石的象徵意義。
李總統的訪英安排,新政府給予相當多的協助,上週四晚間,陳水扁總統並且親自前往大溪鴻禧山莊向李總統致意,並祝賀李總統出訪愉快。
據指出,李總統將在今日搭乘班機前往倫敦,並轉往曼徹斯特受獎,並於七月二日返國。
儘管李總統已不在位,但中國對其點名打壓絲毫未曾鬆手,為避免造成無邦交國的困擾,李登輝一行的訪英行程非常低調,同行人員也被要求絕對保密。
據知,李總統在英國為期一週的訪問期間,不排除與英國政界人士交換意見,也會與台灣旅居當地的重要僑領會面,此外,參觀著名智庫、知名古蹟與景點,亦在計劃之列。
據指出,李總統的孫女李坤儀今年在英國的知名女子高校畢業,前總統與曾文惠女士也特地利用此一機會前往探望,並就地安排私人性質的家族旅遊。
接受熊彼得學術獎是李登輝此行的主要節目之一,熊彼得講座是為紀念美國經濟學家與社會學家熊彼得而設置,熊彼得生於一八八三年,歿於一九五0年,他以資本主義發展和經濟週期的理論而聞名,曾在「資本主義、社會主義與民主」一書中聲稱,資本主義發展終究會自行消亡,而由某種方式的公共管理制度或社會主義所替代。他曾任奧地利財政部部長,在經濟理論方面影響很大。
據了解,今年由於適逢熊彼得逝世五十週年,曼徹斯特學界有不少紀念活動,李登輝總統在農經方面的專業背景,以及在台灣推動經濟發展的成就,主辦單位決定贈與榮譽會員資格,以表彰其貢獻與成就。
李總統在卸任前,即已預告他在退休後將致力國民外交,努力走出去向國際宣揚台灣的存在與價值,如今以即快的速度付諸實現﹔一般認為,李登輝順利到訪歐洲後,對於其他國家將起示範作用,有助於他國降低中國因素考量,給予台灣政治領袖出訪應有的合理待遇。
英國開門 李登輝前進歐洲(06/28)
〔記者鄒景雯/專題報導〕李登輝前總統在卸任後,這一個多月以來,他過得充實、愉快,不僅經常揮桿健身,也一一兌現諾言,到山地向原住民傳道、參加社區義工活動,現在他又將腳步跨向歐洲,到英國進行私人訪問,可以看出其活潑的生活態度,以及不斷向現實挑戰的毅力。
李登輝在十二年主政期間,以國家元首身分出訪的紀錄非常豐碩,1989年,他率團到新加坡訪問,首創到無邦交國「度假外交」的訪問模式。
1994年是李登輝最活躍的一年,二月才前往菲律賓、印尼、泰國等東南亞國家,為「南進政策」加溫;五月又展開為期十三天的「跨洲之旅」,從中南美洲的尼加拉瓜、哥斯大黎加,轉到南非與史瓦濟蘭,幾乎繞了地球一圈。
1995年,則是李登輝最震撼的一年,四月他前往中東的聯合大公國與約旦訪問,六月並往康乃爾大學發表演說,創造了台灣首位在位總統訪美的紀錄,之後中國以此為由,片面中斷兩岸兩會的交流管道,並且在台海試射飛彈,這次也成為李登輝任內最後一次的出訪。
細數李登輝走過的國家,除了日本是他需要繼續等待機會的嚮往地外,歐洲顯然是其觸角尚未伸及之處,在甫卸任一個多月,政治光環仍然強烈的此時,李登輝即將成功前往英國,當然具有超越個人層次的意義。
對於李登輝出國,中國政府曾經公開表示,「即使是卸任也不可以」,這種專橫的態度,究竟是會對國際產生嚇阻作用?還是引起國際反感進而增加對台灣的同情?正有待觀察。
如今,民主議會政治的先驅,英國已經開了前例,在可預見的未來,能否創造骨牌效應,由英倫半島逐步擴散、由卸任者提升至在位者,甚至將台灣元首出國當作常態,需要主要國家以不同的思維計算國際利益,也需要中國以更開闊的大國格局重新思考與台灣的相處之道。
〔中央社倫敦一日電〕總統李登輝先生今天晚上即將搭機返回台北。他在英國四天多的停留裡參觀了英國名勝、文化設施,接受熊彼得學會的終身榮譽會員榮銜。
李登輝先生今天上午留在下榻旅館休息,夫人和其他女眷則一早前往市區小遊。 在取消了原訂的牛津、邱吉爾故居等行程之後,李登輝先生在倫敦停留的最後一天顯得更為輕鬆。 中午過後,他準備搭車前往倫敦市區牛津街的一家日本餐廳之前,在旅館遇到守候的媒體, 一度似乎頗有準備說話的樣子,但旋即在隨行人員陪同下繼續前行。 李登輝先生用完午餐後曾往附近名店街小遊。 李登輝先生擁有金卡,但據隨行人員表示, 他從來還未刷過。
趁著這次機會他不免試刷金卡,購買英國有名的男裝, 在代表著上流階層服飾標竿的「西米洛」街,快意逛街採購。 整個訪英行程裡,李登輝先生保持了極大程度的配合。他每次似乎要有感而發時便又欲語還止, 使得這次學術文化之旅,除了一如英國政府所形容的私人身分的旅人旅行,也因夫人、 媳婦和在英國讀書的孫女李坤儀的隨行,而洋溢著一種家人團聚的愉悅。
但是整個行程裡,隱隱仍可感到來自中共的強大壓力。他所到之處, 中共人員幾乎亦步亦趨,每站必都奉陪,或者照相,或打電話,可說做到了「密切關注」的地步, 尤其在曼徹斯特接受熊彼得學會終身榮譽會員證時,中共人員更是不敢放鬆, 一副如臨大敵的樣子。中共在李登輝先生訪英的第一天曾經大肆叫囂抗議, 此後雖然未再升高公開的動作,但其私下行動卻是一貫的外鬆內緊。
相關人員表示,為了細水長流,為往後更多的機會鋪路, 李登輝先生此行極為配合,已經在極大的程度內回應了英方的善意。
〔記者田世昊╱台北報導〕總統李登輝伉儷一行,預計今晚八點四十五分返抵國門, 結束六天的英國學術文化之旅。 李總統此次是他卸任總統後首度出國訪問,他與前英國首相柴契爾夫人會晤, 也接受國際熊彼得學會頒發終身榮譽會員證書。
李登輝伉儷搭乘長榮BR○六八班機,經由曼谷, 預計今晚八點四十五分抵達桃園機場。 李登輝、夫人曾文惠女士、媳婦張月雲,在前總統府副秘書長林碧炤等人陪同下, 於六月二十七日搭乘長榮班機,經由曼谷飛往英國,在英國當地時間六月二十七日晚間抵達英國倫敦。
李登輝此次出訪,引發中國的強烈抗議,並向英國政府施加強大的壓力, 企圖繼續壓縮我國際空間。 訪問期間,李登輝曾與英國前首相柴契爾夫人會晤,兩人認為, 中國如在民主政治與自由經濟的進程上加快腳步,將是厲害角色,但兩人同嘆中國民主化的腳步太慢。 李登輝在英國時間六月三十日中午,獲頒國際熊彼得學會終身榮譽會員證書,他在贈證儀式中, 積極推銷台灣經濟的成功發展經驗。
他也在受證後,跟與會的十六位經濟學者,就熊彼得理論進行專題討論。 李總統伉儷並利用此行機會探望孫女李坤儀,祖孫三代一同乘船遊河,徜徉在浪漫的康河。 首度與孫女一同在國外度假,李登輝總統在英國留下家人團聚的難得畫面。