Eminent Liberals to address Liberal International Asian Conference

(London, United Kingdom; Manila, Philippines; Taipei Taiwan/ February 13, 2004) The Liberal International (LI) , Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD) and the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP) announce the acceptance of eminent liberals in government, academia and civil society who will speak in the forthcoming Liberal International Asian Conference in Kaohsiung, Taiwan from March 4 to 7, 2004 with the theme Democratic Consolidation and the Role of Political Parties.

Heading the list are H.E. Chen Shui-bian, President of Taiwan, leader of DPP and incoming CALD Chair who would give the opening address and HE Lord Russell-Johnston, former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe who would give the Keynote Address on the challenges of democratic consolidation. The plenary topics and speakers are as follows:

Democratic Consolidation and the Role of Political Parties in Asia: H.E. Sam Rainsy, MP, leader of the national opposition in Cambodia; Dr. N. Bhaskara S. Rai of the Indian Liberal Group and H.E. Kazuo Inoue, MP, from the Democratic Party of Japan (invited). Democratic Consolidation and the Role of Political Parties (outside Asia): H.E. Pablo Leclerq, Deputy Leaders of Argentina’s Recrear Party;  H.E. Teodro Melescanu, former Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs (invited);  H.E. Grogorij Yavlinsky, leaders of the Jabloko Party from the Russian Federation. Political Parties & Public Participation (Parts I & II): H.E. Francis Pangilinan, Senator and Senate Majority Floor Leader and Vic-Chairman of the Liberal Party of the Philippines; H.E. Prof. Valerio Zanone, former Italian Defense Minister (invited); H.E. Dr. Irmgard Schwaetzer, former Federal Minister of Urban Panning, Housing and Construction in Germany; H.E. Borris Dittrich, MP, Party Leader of the D 66 Party in the Netherlands; H.E. Bi-Khim Hsiao, MP of DPP, Taiwan; and, H.E. Dr. Lili Nabholz-Hiedegger of the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland.

Aside from the conference, LI will hold its Bureau, Executive Committee and Human Rights Committee meetings to be presided by  H.E. Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck and Lord John Alderdice, President and Deputy president of LI   while CALD will hold its Executive Committee and Membership Committee meetings to be presided by H.E. Sukhumbhand Paribatra and H.E. Sam Rainsy, CALD Chair and Membership Committee head, respectively. There will also be a briefing on Taiwanese campaign techniques at the DPP Kaohsiung headquarters with H.E. Lee Ying-Yuan, DPP Deputy Secretary General and a caravan ride through Kaohsiung city as part of the presidential campaign. H.E. Frank Hsieh, Mayor of Kaohsiung, will host the dinner and cruise along the Love River.

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This post was written by CALD