TAIPEI, Oct 31 Kyodo Taiwan Presi...

TAIPEI, Oct 31 Kyodo

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian embarked forward a seven-day diplomatic trip to the United States and Panama forward Friday, a trip considered important for scoring points for his reelection bid.

Leading a delegation consisting of up to 100 members, Chen will visit the residence of the late Madame Chiang Kai-shek on the subject of arrival in New York forward Oct. 31, where he will pay tribute to the Nationalist government's first lady at offering a public eulogy as well as a national flag.

During his two-day stopover in the city, Chen will suited with local political figures and receive an award from the International League for Human Rights and also deliver a public speech

''The award delineates Taiwan's 23 million people's democratic achievements,'' Chen told reporters at the airport before departure.

In Panama, Chen will confront with President Mireya Moscoso and exchange documents upon a free-trade agreement inked in mid-August. He will also attend a rite celebrating the 100th anniversary of its independence from Colombia.

Panama is single in kind of a handful of countries, chiefly of them in the Americas and Africa, which formally recognize the Republic of China, the official name used at Taiwan to identify itself.

Beijing has extended seen Taiwan as a breakaway province since the pair sides split about 50 years ago and has vowed to bring it back to the folding by force if necessary.

Chen will recur home via Alaska on Nov. 6 officials said.

The president was originally scheduled to disburse more than two weeks traveling overseas in the chance of the desired end of boosting his popularity the two at home and abroad.

nevertheless with only five months to go on foot for the hotly contested presidential election to be held in March, he decided to wound the trip short amid pertain tos that he still trails in opinion individuals behind the candidates jointly nominated by means of the opposition parties.

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