Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao (
Nicaragua Foreign Minister Eduardo Montealegra apparently told a group of reporters in Managua that Chen should be prepared to honor the economic assistance extended by former president Lee Teng-hui (
"If what the foreign minister reportedly said is true, then it's a highly inappropriate and improper remark," Tien said yesterday morning.
Tien said the new government will make good on the checks promised by the last government, but "we need to understand the details of the promises and re-evaluated if the requests are unreasonable."
Taiwan's foreign ministry did not deny that Montealegra had made the comment but tried to downplay what was taken as a diplomatic gaffe.
David Hu (
"What he probably meant was that Nicaragua hopes to use the opportunity of President Chen's visit to bring up the issue of economic aid," Hu said.
He declined to comment on the reported US$100 million in aid but said "he is probably referring to the proposed packages mentioned by the former government."
Hu emphasized that the government will not agree to any economic assistance on the spot, saying the "any new aid packages would have to undergo evaluation here."
Nicaraguan ambassador to Taiwan Luis Wong was not available for comment yesterday as he is currently on his way to Managua in preparation for Chen's visit.
Chen is to depart for the Dominican Republic to attend the inauguration of the country's new president, Hipolito Mejia, on Aug. 13, transiting through Los Angeles on his way there.
China has issued a formal protest to the US for allowing Chen to make an overnight stopover but Washington insists it is consistent with US policy to provide a transit visa for Taiwan's head-of-state.
Stanley Kao (
"We appreciate the courtesy provided by the US ... the arrangements were made based on mutual trust and understanding from both sides," Kao said.
During his 15-hour stopover, Chen will not meet with any overseas Taiwanese groups or have any contact with the US media. In fact, media from Taiwan have agreed that no reporting will be done during Chen's stopover.
Kao also dismissed the possibility that Chen will meet with US officials during his stopover.
Chen's arrival will coincide with last-minute preparations for the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles that begins Aug. 14, and many senior US officials, including President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, are expected to be in the city at the same time.
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