11 April 2004	Sunday	20 Safar 1425

TAIPEI, April 10: Taiwan appointed former county magistrate Chen Tang-shan as foreign minister on Saturday after his predecessor quit.

Mr Chen takes over from Eugene Chien who stepped down as a result of the fallout surrounding the resignation of Washington's top diplomat for Taiwan affairs.

Therese Shaheen, the chairwoman of the American Institute in Taiwan, quit on Wednesday amid speculation she was too pro-Taiwan at a time when Washington has tried to maintain a delicate balance in its ties with Taipei and Beijing.

"Minister Chien was determined to leave so the premier accepted his resignation," a spokesman said.

"Chen has been in the United States for many years. After he returned to Taiwan, he was legislator in parliament's foreign affairs committee and is very suitable for the job," the spokesman said.-Reuters