In the News

Samoan pushes Ma-Obama meeting

• Publication Date：03/12/2010
• Source： Liberty Times

Amata Coleman Radewagen, the Republican National Committeewoman from American Samoa, hopes to organize a meeting between the leaders of Taiwan and the U.S.

Given that Barrack Obama and Ma Ying-jeou will pay state visits to their nation’s South Pacific diplomatic allies late March, Radewagen plans to arrange for an encounter between the two leaders in Samoa.

In a letter to President Ma, Radewagen invited the ROC president to visit the island during his six-day visit of the ROC’s Sothern Pacific diplomatic allies beginning March 21.

Radewagen noted that considering how close Nauru and Samoa are, she hopes Ma can stop by Samoa after his visit to the Republic of Nauru.

The Samoan said she had a good impression of Taiwan during her previous visit to the island. “Given the many similarities that exist between the aboriginals of Taiwan and those of the South Pacific, it would be a great opportunity for our islanders to learn more about Taiwan’s indigenous cultural heritage since aboriginal performing artists are accompanying President Ma on his trip,” she said.

House Representative of American Samoa Eni Faleomavaega has strived to invite Obama, who is expected to visit Australia, Indonesia and Guam late March, to visit Samoa during his state visit. Therefore, Radewagen hopes to arrange a meeting of the two presidents by inviting Ma.

Ma's tour of six Pacific allies from March 21 to 27, includes transit in Guam, but his schedule does not overlap with Obama's.(CYH-HZW)