2001 阿扁涕泪跪接西方“民主”干爹册封上谕之回奏

以下是当年“自由”干儿阿扁涕泪跪接西方“民主”干爹册封上谕之回奏，尽是“民主”、“自由”的僵化、枯燥的教条。


Speech Chen Shui-bian, President of Taiwan
At the occasion of the presentation of the Liberal International Prize for Freedom 2001, Strasbourg,
France, 14 November 2001

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

First of all, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to Liberal International for awarding me the 2001 Prize for Freedom. This is a tremendous honor for me. I also want to take this opportunity to emphasize that I consider that this Prize is awarded not to me personally, but to all the 23 million Taiwanese people, who love freedom, uphold peace and respect human rights.

The Prize for Freedom has always been awarded to those fighters for democracy who have made extraordinary contributions to promoting human rights and freedom. Among the list of distinguished recipients are President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic, who has devoted his life to the cause of human rights and democracy; former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino, who ended the Marcos dictatorship; and Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is still under house arrest for her defiance of the military junta.

Since its establishment, Liberal International has striven to achieve its sacred mission of democracy, human rights, social justice, tolerance, equality, free trade and global solidarity. Today, members from sixty-seven countries on all six continents work hand in hand for freedom and democracy.

Over the centuries, Taiwan has endured invasion, colonial rule, and dictatorship. In order to pursue the universal values of freedom, democracy and human rights, the people of Taiwan valiantly sacrificed themselves to struggle for their rights, writing a history of blood and tears. At the dawn of
the twenty-first century, despite the PRC’s threats of military action, the twenty-three million great people of Taiwan acted to heal the wounds of the past with love, to conquer fear with determined confidence. By casting their sacred ballots, they brought about the historic first alternation of political
power in Taiwan’s history. This proud democratic achievement is the best testament to Taiwan’s democratic values.

Since I was inaugurated as the President of the Republic of China, I have striven to promote democracy and the people’s welfare. Our new administration established a Human Rights Advisory Group, and we are working to establish a National Human Rights Commission to further improve Taiwan’s human rights standards. I fully understand that political democratization and economic globalization are the mainstream trends around the world in the twenty-first century. Freedom, democracy and human rights are unshakable universal values, and human history is a record of the moving stories of the struggle to realize them.

Human beings are born for freedom, and must make sacrifices to defend it. As a member of the opposition movement, striving for Taiwan’s democracy and freedom, I have also paid a heavy price. Today, as the President of the Republic of China, I am proud that my country is able to both practice
and promote this universal value.

It is my fervent hope that Taiwan’s freedom and democracy can bring a new opportunity for peace across the Taiwan Strait, so that the people of both sides may enjoy reciprocity, mutual benefit and prosperity in a free market economy. To obtain this goal, since taking office I have continuously
expressed my good will to the PRC, upholding the principles of reconciliation, cooperation and peace to pursue the normalization of cross-Strait relations. Under the preconditions of maintaining democracy, equality and peace, I will continue to safeguard the peace of the Taiwan Strait and to
pursue a new framework for permanent peace and political integration.

In conclusion, I want to once again thank Liberal International for your generous recognition. It is a great regret that I am not able to represent the people of Taiwan to receive the Prize in person, but I have asked my wife Wu Sue-jen to take my place with you today. I am convinced that, as the entire world calls out to combat terrorism and safeguard freedom, Taiwan will be a constructive force for the stability and prosperity of the international community.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to pay my utmost tribute to all those heroes around the world who have fought on the front lines for freedom, democracy, justice and human rights.

Thank you!