“I would have postponed if I were in his place,” said Arnhim Eustace, a former Prime Minister. And while he acknowledged that the visit was planned before the political crisis developed in Taiwan Eustace believed that President Chen would be preoccupied with domestic politics.

Reuters news agency has reported that Taiwan’s opposition is pulling out all the stops to bring down President Chen Shui-bian over an insider trading scandal that has implicated his son-in-law and plunged the island into political crisis.

“The people are too distracted with their domestic political situation. President Chen and his party are fighting for their political life,” Eustace remarked.

Dr Gonsalves’ trip is intended, among other things, to discuss the specifics of Taiwan’s contribution to the construction of an international airport here.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves introduces his wife Eloise to President Chen as he welcomed the Asian leader to St Vincent during an official visit last September. Photo by Kenton Chance

The Prime Minister told reporters in Kingstown last week that “democratic governments would from time to time have their own domestic difficulties.

“That is for them to address within the context of their own internal mechanism,” he said in response to a question regarding the timing of the visit. He added: “In any event, President Chen is my friend. Because my friend is in some difficulties, I must be a fair-weather friend and stay away? No.

“This visit is very prepared for and I am absolutely confident that this will be a productive visit - great benefits to our two countries and I am looking forward very much to seeing President Chen. I am looking forward to see the Premier and very much to see the foreign minister and other officials.

President Chen, during an official visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines last September indicated Taiwan’s commitment to the construction of an international airport here.

Both the Opposition and government here have voiced their commitment to maintaining the relationship which Taiwan and St Vincent have enjoyed for the last 25 years.