US delegation gives President Ma vote of confidence

Washington’s decision to send a high-ranking delegation to the upcoming inauguration of ROC President Ma Ying-jeou reflects the strength of Taiwan-U.S. relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 12.

“We sincerely welcome the decision by U.S. President Barack Obama to send such a heavyweight representation as it signifies Washington’s robust support for the Ma administration,” the MOFA said.

Taipei-based American Institute in Taiwan announced earlier in the day that William M. Daley, who served as White House chief of staff under Obama from 2011-2012, will lead a five-member delegation to Ma’s inauguration ceremony May 20.

Daley, U.S. secretary of commerce from 1997-2000 under then President Bill Clinton, will be joined by Raymond Burghardt, AIT chairman, Richard Bush, former AIT chairman and managing director, James Steinberg, former deputy secretary of state, and Anne-Marie Slaughter, former director of policy planning for the State Department.

During their May 18-21 visit, the group is scheduled to meet with Ma, Vice President Wu Den-yih, Premier Sean C. Chen and Foreign Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang.

The AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations. (JSM)