Posted on 04/07/2005 9:55:23 AM PDT by AmericanInTokyo
The Holy See's ambassador to Taipei Ambrose Medtha confirmed on Wednesday that (TAIWAN) President Chen would attend the funeral, and added that he believes the president would have "no difficulty" at the Italian immigration on his way to Vatican City.
According to MOFA spokesman Michael Lu, President Chen will depart on a special China Airlines flight at 15:40 on Thursday afternoon, and land in Rome at 5 a.m. on Friday. The president will return to Taipei on the afternoon of that same day, Lu said.
The five-member Taiwanese delegation will include Minister Chen, Taipei Grand Mosque Imam Ma Shiao-chi, Father Jan van Aert, and Father Hsing Chao-ming.
The funeral will bring together nearly 200 world leaders, some of whom rarely if ever meet, in a fitting tribute to a Pope who fought for world peace and unity.
The chairs already laid out in St. Peter's Square will seat President Bush near President Mohammad Khatami of Iran, leader of one of the countries Bush included in his "axis of evil." At least 2 million people are expected for the funeral and Rome city officials were due to meet later to decide whether to close shops and offices and order a total traffic ban to avoid mayhem.
Update: Not to mention, now Beijing has their underwear uncomfortably out of place over the fact that PRESIDENT OF TAIWAN CHEN is on his way to the Vatican at this moment, (to pass through Italian territory and immigration soon).
Bush:
"Go ahead, make my day..."
Hey, if Khatami wants to make himself vulnerable, I'm sure the Secret Service can "run into" him somewhere in Rome proper.
My only hope is that the funeral goes without a hitch, and EVERYONE gets back home safe and sound. That many heads of state crowded together, along with mourners in the streets and outside the cathedral, is not a safe situation, it seems to me.
I hope Bush hands him his nuts.
Putting the two relatively close together just MIGHT be a security precaution... think about it.
speaking of evil, how did bill clingon get himself centered in the front page nyt photo today?
meanwhile, the president of the united states is crowded off to the left side.
i think it was an official vatican foto.
even usa2day, a socialist rag, cropped the photo to present the president.
Depends on what "near" means, I guess.
Pistol whipping with a .44 Mag would be a good start.
I'm sure he'll be very gracious, it's a funeral for a great man. Politics should play no part in this.
I heard about Clinton fellow. That Clinton guy. Yep, he's the guy that was one of two American presidents to be IMPEACHED, in our 215 year history...and he took a seat that could have been reserved for another President who had not been impeached?
I can dream, can't I?
Gee, you sure know how to 'liven up' an already fun thread!
LOL, I look at it like this, Hizbollah will be reluctant to blow up their Iranian sponsor so Dubya should be pretty safe sitting close to one of the mad mullahs.
Maybe they'll arm wrestle for domination!!
"Putting the two relatively close together just MIGHT be a security precaution... think about it."
I think you nailed it !! Mix them all up.....This give protection to everyone.
Not here on FR
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