Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore Accorded Full Military Honors軍禮歡迎布吉納法索總統

　Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore visited Taiwan in March. Accompanied by President Chen Shui-bian, they arrived at Tsoying Naval Base to receive full military honors, including a 21-gun salute. A total of nearly 800 guests, including senior officials and people's representatives of all levels, Mayor Hsieh and KCG officials, were on hand for the grand welcoming ceremony.

　The military salute was held in Kaohsiung at the request of the Burkina Faso government, which had longed for a chance to see the Taiwan's navy forces. This is also the first grand military salute to be hosted by Kaohsiung since the central government moved to Taiwan. After the military honors, President Chen gave a state banquet in Grand Hi-Lai Hotel.

　President Chen extended to Compaore his appreciation for the respect and red carpet treatment he received during his state visit to Burkina Faso last August. He said Compaore's visit shows the ally's close ties with Taiwan. He believed that the visit will promote further understanding and stable relations between the two countries.

　The Burkina Faso government frequently speaks for Taiwan government at the Assembly of the United Nations and has been outspoken in helping Taiwan elevate its status in the international community, which shows its strong friendship with Taiwan government. The diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Burkina Faso was renewed on February 2, 1994. This is Compaore's fourth state visit to Taiwan.

　　我國西非友邦布吉納法索總統龔保雷夫婦3月訪華，由陳水扁總統陪同，率團南下左營海軍基地，接受我國以21響禮砲全軍禮儀式的歡迎，中央及地方各級首長、民意代表、謝市長暨市府各局處首長、本市里長以及布吉納法索訪華團等約800人前往觀禮，場面盛大。謝長廷市長並代表致贈市鑰給龔保雷總統。

　　此次軍禮迎賓式移師高雄舉行，是應布國政府之請，希望一瞥我國海軍壯盛軍容而特別安排的，這是政府遷台以來首次將軍禮歡迎儀式移師高雄舉行。在半天海軍巡禮後，陳總統並在本市漢來大飯店舉行國宴款待。

　　陳總統表示，去年8月訪問布吉納法索期間，曾受到布國政府與人民的隆重禮遇及熱忱接待，不勝感激，這次龔保雷總統能率團回訪我國，顯示兩國關係密切友好，深信將可進一步促進雙方的相互了解，使兩國邦誼更臻穩固開展。

　　布國屢次在聯合國大會中為我執言，多年來在國際社會上堅持國際正義，支持中華民國爭取應有的國際地位，充分展現對我國之堅定友誼。我國係於83年2月2日與布國恢復全面外交關係，此次係龔保雷總統第4次率團訪華。