見證歷史性的一刻/林秋比

蔡英文總統（左）麥卡錫議長公開發表書面聲明

2023年4月5日星期三早上10點,美國衆議院議長麥卡錫（Kevin McCarthy）和雷根總統紀念圖書館董事長兼執行長杜立歐（David Trulio）站在圖書館會客室大門口走道，雙目注視一前一後停在他們前方約三十呎路邊的兩部禮車。安全人員把禮車車門打開，台灣總統蔡英文慢慢走下來，面帶笑容很有自信地走向主人這邊。滿臉笑容、狀至愉快的麥卡錫和杜立歐迎上，和蔡英文總統熱烈握手，這是1979台美斷交以來台灣總統第一次在美國和美國衆議院議長正式公開的見面。他們三人慢慢地到走廊然後走進門口，這前後大約不到一分鐘。已經等了將近半個小時、來自全世界一百多位160多位的國際媒體的代表紛紛用攝影機、長鏡頭和手機拍錄下台美關係歷史性的一刻。

之後，媒體團成員在國務院安全人員的護衛下，趕到到雷根總統圖書館的會客室改成的餐廳。在一陣掌聲中麥卡錫議長歡迎蔡總統進入餐廳。麥卡錫向蔡總統介紹出席會談的兩黨國會議員，蔡英文總統向麥卡錫介紹她的團隊成員。要開始用餐之前麥卡錫簡單地說了幾句歡迎的話。蔡英文總統更是惜口如金，只講講了一句加州的天氣格外的明亮溫暖的客氣話，然後雙方就開始午餐，及進行近一個半小時會談。

十點三十分，160多位國際媒體記者又在國務院的安全官的護衛下，到雷根總統空軍一號座機前，等待蔡英文和麥卡錫發表聲明。12點左右，蔡英文總統在麥卡錫陪同下，面帶笑容，走到麥克風前，麥卡錫簡短致歡迎辭後，蔡英文發表書面談話。這是1979年以來台灣的總統第一次在美國本土和美國美國衆院議長在國際媒體前面公開發表政治性談話，這是一個歷史性的時刻。蔡英文面帶笑容不慌不忙地用帶有倫敦腔調的英語，把台灣、美關係的過去，現在及未來，向美國及全世界講得清清楚楚。在這短短的五分鐘，毫無疑問，台灣成爲全世界的焦點。

（以下為蔡英文總統的聲明及華語翻譯）

I am delighted to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library once again, this time with Speaker McCarthy and distinguished members of Congress. I want to thank Speaker McCarthy for his warm hospitality and for his invitation to bipartisan congressional leaders who have taken time out of their busy schedules to join us today. Their presence and unwavering support reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated, and we are not alone.

It is especially fitting for us to meet here, to pay tribute to a distinguished American president and world leader. A man who also played a crucial role, in partnership with the US Congress, in protecting and fortifying US-Taiwan relations at a time of changing diplomatic realities. President Reagan's Six Assurances of 1982, on top of the landmark Taiwan Relations Act passed by Congress, laid the foundation for a strong and unique partnership of over four decades, during which we have maintained peace, promoted prosperity, and welcomed the advent of Taiwan's democracy.

However, it is no secret that today, the peace that we have maintained, and the democracy which we have worked hard to build, are facing unprecedented challenges. We once again find ourselves in a world where democracy is under threat, and the urgency of keeping the beacon of freedom shining cannot be understated. President Reagan said it best: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation."

In the discussion with congressional leaders this morning, I reiterated Taiwan's commitment to defending the peaceful status quo, where the people of Taiwan may continue to thrive in a free and open society. I also highlighted a belief which President Reagan championed, that to preserve peace, we must be strong. I would like to add that we are stronger when we are together.

For this, I also expressed our deepest gratitude on behalf of the Taiwanese people to members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, on a number of initiatives that have helped to make Taiwan and our partnership stronger. Specifically, initiatives in the realm of enhancing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, fostering robust trade and economic ties between us, and supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in the international community, have all served to safeguard our shared interests in peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.

Taiwan strives to be a reliable partner to the world, a cornerstone for stability in the region, and a force for good. There is a saying in the Confucian Analects, "one who is virtuous will not stand alone." In our efforts to protect our way of life, Taiwan is grateful to have the United States of America by our side. As we confront the unique challenges of our time, let us be mindful of the principles that have forged our great partnership and bear in mind the lessons of President Reagan's enduring legacy.

Once again, thank you, Speaker McCarthy, for your warmth and for your friendship. Thank you to all our friends in Congress, for standing by Taiwan.

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很高興有機會再次造訪雷根總統圖書館，與美國眾議院麥卡錫議長及跨黨派的國會議員見面。我要感謝麥卡錫議長的盛情接待，也感謝他邀請跨黨派的國會領袖今天在百忙之中撥冗與會。跨黨派國會議員的參與及堅定支持讓台灣人民了解到，我們沒有被孤立，也並不孤單。

雷根總統圖書館可以說是我們最佳的會面地點，給我們機會向這位備受尊敬的美國總統與世界領袖致敬。

在外交領域經歷重大變動的年代，雷根總統扮演關鍵角色，與美國國會通力合作，保護並鞏固台美關係。雷根總統1982年的六項保證，以及國會通過的重要法案《台灣關係法》為這段已逾四十年歷史的強健、特殊的夥伴關係奠定基礎。在此期間，我們維護和平，促進繁榮，並見證台灣民主蓬勃發展。

然而現在，我們所有人都明白，我們先前所維護的和平，及努力打造的民主，正遭遇前所未有的挑戰。在當下這個民主受到威脅的世界中，讓自由的燈塔永存不滅，可以說是當務之急。雷根總統就曾說過「自由並不是代代相傳的，每個世代都必須不斷捍衛及爭取自由」。

今早與美國國會領袖會面時，我也重申台灣維護和平現狀的決心，讓台灣人民繼續在自由、開放的社會中生活。會議中，我也提及雷根總統的信念，那就是「要維護和平，必須先強大自己」。而且，只要我們團結一心，必定更強大。

我也代表台灣人民，向美國國會跨黨派的國會議員致謝，感謝他們提出讓台灣及台美關係，更堅強的各項法案。這些法案協助強化台灣自我防衛的能力、建立台美之間強健的經貿連結，並支持台灣有意義的國際參與，均有助在印太區域捍衛我們的共同利益、和平及繁榮。

台灣致力成為世界的可靠夥伴，區域內穩定的基石，以及良善的力量。論語有言「德不孤，必有鄰」。在台灣努力捍衛現有生活方式的同時，我們非常感謝美國的支持。在面對這個世代獨特的挑戰時，我們要謹記奠定台美堅實關係的原則，不忘雷根總統傳承的意志與教訓。

再次感謝麥卡錫議長的溫暖接待及友誼。謝謝所有美國國會的友人一直和台灣站在一起。

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb1e13_8Jm4&ab_channel=presidentialoffice)

說完，麥卡錫和蔡英文就離開現場。 記者們連忙趕到柏林圍墻的紀念碑前等待下午一點半，由麥卡錫議長和參加這次會談的兩黨衆議員召開的記者會。
（（聲明及圖取自台灣總統府官網）