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Press Release

Arrival Statement Douglas H. Paal Director of Taipei Office American Institute in Taiwan

Thank you all for welcoming us here tonight. It is a thrill for Betsy and me to be back in Taiwan, our home for the next few years.

It will be an honor to serve as Director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

It will be a privilege and a pleasure to get to know more of the people of Taiwan.

Before leaving Washington, I met with my government’s leaders right up to the last hour. They made clear to me that Taiwan enjoys especially warm respect among them and among Americans generally for its political and economic achievements.

The shared values of our two peoples – our respect for democracy and human rights, our devotion to family and freedom, our common determination to overcome the great challenges of the 21st century – bind us closely together.

There is a great deal of work to do in the months and years ahead. I look forward to starting tomorrow.

I also look forward to enjoying this beautiful island with my colleagues at AIT and my friends in Taiwan.

Thank you for coming here tonight.