Monday, June 07, 2010

Huckabee reaffirms support for Taiwan

Taipei, June 7 (CNA) Mike Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas and candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, reiterated his support for Taiwan upon arrival Monday for a three-day visit during which he will meet government officials and local political leaders.

He wasted no time to emphasize his long-term support for Taiwan, saying: "I love Taiwan. I feel that it is one of the most important partners the United States has and one of our greatest allies."

Huckabee met then-President Chen Shui-bian during his last visit in June 2006, when he was governor of Arkansas and chairman of the National Governors Association. The association passed a resolution in 2003 supporting Taiwan's bid to become an observer in the World Health Assembly, and in 2005, Huckabee's state of Arkansas passed a resolution recommending the signing of a Taiwan-U.S. free trade agreement.

Responding to a reporter's question, he acknowledged there had been political changes both in the U.S. and Taiwan since his last visit, but said change is "one of the wonderful things about democracy."

"Sometimes I don't like the change. Obviously I would like to see a different president in my country. I thought it should have been me, but apparently the rest of the country doesn't think that way just yet, " he said.

"We accept change as what makes our system the amazing system that it is, and in the same way this is one of the reasons that I feel the U.S. has a very strong organic relationship with Taiwan because, like we elect our government, so do you. And you have the opportunity to get angry with them and express it. I like that and I think that's healthy and good, " he said.

Visiting Taiwan to promote his book "Do the Right Thing, " Huckabee will make an invitation-only appearance at the Taipei International Convention Center Tuesday, according to Jack Hu, managing director of London International Group, organizer of the visit.

The Tuesday event, called "An Evening with Governor Mike Huckabee, " will begin with remarks from Huckabee and later include a moderated question and answer session, Hu said.

In his bid for the Republican nomination for president, Huckabee won eight states and more than 4 million votes in the primaries before pulling out of the race in March 2008.

Asked whether he plans to run again in the 2012 presidential election, Huckabee said: "I don't know. If I were, I probably wouldn't announce it in Taipei."

Huckabee was elected as lieutenant governor of Arkansas in 1993 by special election and re-elected in 1994. He became governor in July 1996 when his predecessor resigned, making him one of the youngest governors in the country at the time. He served as governor from 1996 to 2007 and was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the five best governors in America.

Huckabee currently hosts a weekend political talk show, "Huckabee," on Fox News Channel. (By Chris Wang) enditem/bc