Lee thwarts Taiwanese media

Wed, 27 Sep 2000 | Source: AP

TAIPEI (AP): Frustration was apparent on Tuesday among reporters who stalked Lee Kuan Yew for four days, trying in vain to get the Singaporean elder statesman to comment about Taiwan- China relations.

The retired Singaporean prime minister's four-day visit has attracted intense media attention because Lee once helped arrange a historic meeting between Taiwanese and Chinese envoys in 1993. Many believe he is playing matchmaker again during his first Taiwanese visit in six years.

But Lee has kept his trip unofficial and private, thwarting reporters' relentless efforts to coax comment from him. He has said he is visiting Taiwan to better understand the island's political changes.

In Singapore, the government-linked media have provided scant coverage of Lee's trip. He planned to depart Tuesday evening after having a second meeting with President Chen Shui-bian.

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