A VOICE FOR DEMOCRACY.(ISSUES & INSIGHTS)(EDITORIALS)

The National Press Club in Washington has invited Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian to speak. Whether to invite the leader of a democracy usually is a simple affair. But nothing involving Beijing, Taipei and Washington ever comes easy.

A visit by any Taiwan official to the U.S. always sends Beijing into a fit. And under President Clinton, those diplomatic tantrums had an effect. An unnamed State Department official says such visits under Clinton were "private, unofficial and rare."

That official says Taipei hasn't asked for permission for Chen to come. The official refused to speculate about the department's reaction.

Yes, the high-wire act that marks Sino-American relations requires tact. But this would be an excellent chance to show resolve in support of our democratic ally.

If Chen wants to give a speech here to reporters, more power to him. He would join the ranks of the many world leaders who have addressed the Press Club. And by allowing him to speak here, the U.S. would put him and his country on the same footing as those leaders.

The Bush State Department should do so.

After all, a country founded in part on the notion of a strong, free ...