Washington- Alaska Sen. Frank Murkowski today welcomed the election of Taiwan's new President Chen Shui-bian, expressing the hope that it will lead to reduce tensions, greater direct links between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.

"The election of Chen Shui-bian is a victory for democracy not simply in Taiwan, but throughout the world.  It proves that the principles of democracy and freedom are universal and are not as some Asian leaders have suggested in the past, incompatible with so-called Asian values.

"The election also proves how little the mainland Chinese leaders understand about the political maturity of the people of Taiwan, by trying to intimidate the Taiwanese people, by issuing threats of "bloodshed" if Chen was elected.  Beijing demonstrated its lack of understanding of modern Taiwanese and of the psychology of democratic voters in general.  People do not vote their fears, they vote their hope and aspirations.  I commend the Taiwanese people for voting their convictions.

"I recognize that Mr. Chen faces significant challenges in his transition to the Presidency.  If Taiwan is able to manage the transition peacefully and with full cooperation of all parties involved, the triumph of democracy in Taiwan will truly stand as a model of the world.  Mr. Chen will no doubt be seized with domestic political challenges in the months and years ahead.  In confronting these challenges, I hope that he is not so encumbered that he is unable to seize the tremendous opportunities his election represents.

"In the past days, as the world watched, with some trepidation, Mr. Chen has approached the tense situation across the Taiwan Strait with courage, resolve and great statesmanship.  I applaud his offer of olive branches to those in Beijing who only last week threatened bloodshed if he were elected.  I am impressed with his graciousness.