"President Ah-Bian"

Mr. Chen has been elected and been in office for over two months now. His every move is scrutinized by the Peking government, the people of Taiwan and the White House. I praise his poise as he would never imagined that he could be in this position now. He had a short time to prepare for it. At least he is not making anyone mad with his actions so far. Let's not forget, he had a career training in making those that will benefit him happy. Chen was a lawyer. He is trained to negotiate. He knows how to make his clients happy and make the judges see his ways. So applying his skills, he has not offended the Peking government and stayed on the good side of the White House. Chen has softened his tones of Independence for Taiwan to a mute level. He has given ground so that a meeting with the Peking government would be brought forth. His willingness to give ground to the Peking government is definitely in the best interest of the international community. But I hope Chen will remember a few things. Do not negotiate with the safety and the lives of people of Taiwan. Do not toy with the notion that keeping everyone happy will earn him a second term. Let's begin the talks with the Peking government without losing on the ground of dignity. The people of Taiwan cannot allow Chen to back down so far that the talks are over even before it began.