The members of the delegation traveling with Premier Yu included Lawrence Li-an Chen, minister of economic affairs; Wang Chien-hsuan, vice-minister of economic affairs; Shaw Yu-ming, director of the Government Information Office; Koh Chin-chao, vice chairman of the Council of Agriculture; Charles Shu-chi King, vice minister of foreign affairs; and Huang Hsiu-jih, director of protocol. After the inauguration Lawrence Chen was scheduled to lead Chinese business representatives in holding the second round of talks on economic cooperation between the R.O.C. and Paraguay, in which they would continue to explore opportunities for investment and cooperation.

Viewed as the first assault in the government's foreign affairs offensive since the cabinet reshuffle, the high-level delegation was covered by twelve reporters from the domestic press. Despite the size of the contingent and the distance of the journey, Premier Yu vetoed the idea of ordering a special airplane and insisted on flying an ordinary commercial airliner.

Not long after China Air Lines flight 006 had taken off for Los Angeles, GIO Director Shaw reported to Premier Yu that the reporters on the airplane wished to present their regards. The Premier replied at once, "I'll go over to meet them." When the Premier appeared in the economy class section, the surprised passengers immediately broke into applause. Some of them took out cameras to be photographed with the Premier, and the cabin was filled with a festive atmosphere.

In talking with the reporters Premier Yu revealed that in 1967 he visited nine countries in South America as a member of an R.O.C. friendship delegation for economics and trade but had not gone to Paraguay, so that this visit, as the fulfillment of an old wish, was especially gratifying. He said that although the physical distance between them is great, the R.O.C. and Paraguay maintain close relations, the friendship between their people is deep, and he personally is a great admirer of the leadership of President Stroessner.

When Premier Yu and his party arrived in Los Angeles they were met by David N. Laux, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, and when they landed in Panama City they were greeted by Acting President Manuel Solis Palna and the minister of foreign affairs. As the airplane passed over world-famous Iguazu Falls, the Brazil Airlines captain lowered a wing and circled slowly overhead so that the Premier could enjoy the magnificent sight.

After two days of traveling Premier Yu landed in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, at 1:50 P.M. on August 14, where he was met in grand style by Minister of the Interior Sabino Augusto Montanaro and other department heads, along with Wang Sheng, the R.O.C.'s ambassador to Paraguay, and more than 300 members of the overseas Chinese community. At the same time he was interviewed by local television and newspaper reporters.

The government of Paraguay treated the R.O.C. delegation with particular courtesy. Foreign Minister Carlos Augusto Saldivar met them in private on the afternoon of their arrival, and during his visit Premier Yu was accompanied by a civilian and a military adviser and escorted by police cars and motorcycles, an honor enjoyed by the delegates of no other country.

General Stroessner was reinaugurated as the president of Paraguay at eight o'clock in the morning of the fifteenth. After the ceremony he received congratulations from the various delegations at the presidential building. Premier Yu headed the list of delegates in offering congratulations. President Stroessner expressed his thanks and asked him to convey his cordial greetings to President Lee Teng-hui.

Starting at ten o'clock, President Stroessner presided over a review of the troops, which was attended by the various delegations. Premier Yu sat next to President Stroessner at the head of the guests during the ceremony.

After the review Premier Yu and his party visited the local Chinese school. During his visit news of the August 14th flood on Taiwan reached Asuncion. Premier Yu, his expression grave, revealed his concern for the situation at home in addressing a luncheon at the school for Chinese in Paraguay, and he immediately directed Vice Premier Shih Chi-yang to coordinate rescue operations.

That afternoon, after the Premier received further reports on the flood, he decided at once to cancel his originally scheduled itinerary and speed home to take charge of reconstruction work after the flood. He informed President Stroessner of his decision at a reception that evening in the home of the foreign affairs minister, and President Stroessner, expressing his concern, directed the foreign minister to arrange for him to receive Premier Yu immediately the next morning for the conferral of awards.

Early the next day Premier Yu led the delegation to visit President Stroessner and to bid him farewell. The President and the Premier expressed their firm hopes that the R.O.C. and Paraguay would continue to strengthen bilateral relations and mutual cooperation, and Premier Yu directed Minister Chen and Vice-Minister Wang to remain in Paraguay and head up the second round of talks on economic cooperation between the two countries.

After receiving a special award for meritorious achievement from the Paraguayan foreign affairs minister, Premier Yu went to Chung Cheng Avenue, where he paid his respects by laying flowers at the statue of Chiang Kai-shek. At three o'clock that afternoon the Premier and his party boarded their plane to a grand send-off by the ministers of the various departments and a military salute. Also there to see him off was the brass band of the Chung Cheng School, and the scene was moving.

Worried that the continued long-term flying would be too taxing, those in his party suggested that he rest a night in Los Angeles, but Premier Yu, concerned about the domestic flood situation, insisted on returning to Taiwan as quickly as possible.

China Air Lines flight 005 arrived at CKS airport at six o'clock in the afternoon of the eighteenth. When Premier Yu deboarded and attended a press conference, still beaming vigorously, he had been flying for 39 hours straight.

On the way back from Paraguay a reporter asked him what all his toil and travel had been for. "I just hope to help our country pass more smoothly through a time of transition," the Premier replied. This conviction is perhaps the reason why Premier Yu can still face questions with a beaming expression even after such a fatiguing journey.

[Picture Caption]

Important government figures greet Premier Yu Kuo-hwa at the airport in Asuncion.

Premier Yu presents a military sword to President Stroessner of Paraguay.

Paraguay's economy has developed rapidly in recent years, and its investment environment is good.

Premier Yu visits the Central Bank of Paraguay.

Premier Yu presents a military sword to President Stroessner of Paraguay.

Paraguay's economy has developed rapidly in recent years, and its investment environment is good.

Premier Yu visits the Central Bank of Paraguay.