In rare trip, Taiwan's president headed to Vatican(Vatican and Italy defying China)

Boston Globe ^ | 04/07/05 | Annie Huang

[TigerLikesRooster]

In rare trip, Taiwan's president headed to Vatican

By Annie Huang, Associated Press | April 7, 2005

TAIPEI -- Taiwan's leader will make an unprecedented visit to the Vatican to attend Pope John Paul II's funeral, the government said yesterday, in a move that would likely irk rival China.

President Chen Shui-bian will attend the pope's funeral tomorrow, the Foreign Ministry said. It will be the first trip to Europe by a Taiwanese president, who rarely make foreign visits because of China's objections.

The Vatican is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Europe.

But under pressure from Beijing, Italy had refused to issue visas to Taiwan's presidents in the past.

Michel Lu, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry spokesman, said Chen will depart for Rome today. Italy issued Chen a visa and will accord him with protocols reserved for heads of state, Lu said.

''He will take a China Airlines charter flight to Rome . . . and will return to Taipei" after the funeral, he said.

Beijing is expected to lodge a strong protest against Chen's visit with Italy. China considers Taiwan a part of its own territory and has barred the island's leaders from taking part in international events.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I hope that the Admin moderator would keep this post on breaking news. Vatican and Italy siding with Taiwan in defiance of China is a truly important event.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[Jet Jaguar]

Good for Taiwan!

[Tiger Smack]

well thats going to piss off china now wont it

[LayoutGuru2]

This is awesome, thanks for posting to Breaking News.

[flaglady47]

This is happening because Berlusconi(sp?) is the head of Italy. If it was someone else less conservative, Taiwan wouldn't have gotten the visa, IMHO.

[nickcarraway]

The Vaticamn is a separate country, couldn't they have issued a visa?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #7

Vatican is surrounded by Italy. Anybody going to Vatican has to pass through Italian territory.

[flaglady47]

I doubt if they have visa issuing powers. That would fall under the purview of the country of Italy, I would guess. Interesting question though. Really don't know for sure. Making a calculated guess here.

[McGavin999]

I don't think they have an international airport ;o)

[Paul_Denton]

hope that the Admin moderator would keep this post on breaking news. Vatican and Italy siding with Taiwan in defiance of China is a truly important event.

I agree!

[TigerLikesRooster]

This may be of interest to you.

[nickcarraway]

I would have thought they had some agreement on these type of issues. I'm sure this isn't the first time they wanted to host someone that Italy didn't have a part of.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Italy to China:

"Hey, yo! I got yer protest right here!"

[McGavin999]

No, I think Italy has to approve the visas.

Italy rarely would refuse the Vatican but in this case I think it would be petty to refuse someone a visa to attend the funeral of JPG.

[nickcarraway]

Perhaps, but courage is a scarce commodity these days.

[McGavin999]

Yep, it is courageous. But can you imagine Italians not standing behind Silvio on this matter?

China would be wise not to press this, it would make them look terrible before the rest of the world.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

GOOD !!!!


I hope China does get pissed off and goes bonkers over this, and a new ground swell of support for the Vatican and Italy of defying China.
It goes to show you, that even in Pope John Paul's II death, that he is still having a influence on the world's stage, and still is having a influence for the fight of freedom around the world.

I was wondering ?
Are there any Minute Men Patrol people here on FreeRepublic ?
Is there anyone who knows any of them or can pass the word along to them ?
To have all of them in " ONE VOICE " to sing the words and the song of the BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC.
Imagine 3000 Minute Men Patrol people at the border singing that song in one loud voice at the same time ?
That would really put them in a tizzy and freak out the liberals, the MSM, and the illegals who are trying to come across the boarder and the Mexican government.

I can only guess the feminist are mad, and are protesting against the " Minute Men Patrol " because their title has the world " MEN " in it.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Yes, you right, it would.

HEY CHINA ?
What are you going to do about it ?
There is 1.2 ( a big B ) BILLION Christians around the world, go ahead ! , make our day !

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Where's the Popcorn ?
Please pass the popcorn.