Political donation allegations denied

Still reeling from allegations that it offered political donations to former Costa Rican president Miguel Angel Rodriguez, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday denied accusations that it gave money to Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) also told the legislature that it was "highly possible" that China has played a behind-the-scenes role in the scandals involving Taiwan's Central American allies.

"I testify on behalf of the Presidential Office that Taiwan never gave political donations or offered help to individuals in our allies," Su told a legislative question-and-answer session.

"We need to strengthen our diplomatic efforts," he said, adding that people shouldn't be so willing to believe everything they hear.

Ministry spokesman Michel Lu (呂慶龍) told a press conference yesterday that he could not confirm reports that Taiwan gave US$4.9 million to Bolanos' campaign.

Lu, however, said Bolanos had once asked Taiwan to provide about US$4 million to establish a foundation for improving human rights, health infrastructure and disaster-relief resources.

Asked whether the ministry could have prevented individuals from embezzling the US$4 million, Lu said he could not answer the question.

"The ministry certainly is concerned whether Bolanos will face impeachment, but it will not comment on that country's domestic affairs," he said.

The Nicaraguan legislature is planning to impeach Bolanos on corruption charges linked to his 2001 campaign's finances. Media reports said that in 2002, Nicaraguan investigators found that US$4.9 million in illegal campaign funds came from Taiwan.

Last Saturday, the leaders of six Central American countries asked the Organization of American States (OAS) to stop Nicaragua's legislature from impeaching Bolanos. The US also voiced support for him on Saturday.

"We deplore recent politically motivated attempts, based on dubious legal precedent, to undermine the constitutional order in Nicaragua and his presidency," US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement.

Lu told reporters yesterday that the ministry would send a letter to its Costa Rican counterpart today to explain the purpose behind the US$400,000 allegedly donated to Rodriguez in 2001 and 2002.

Rodriguez resigned as the OAS secretary-general earlier this month after Costa Rican investigators said they were looking into allegations he had shared in commissions on government contracts to a French firm. He has pleaded innocent to charges of illegal enrichment, bribery and aggravated corruption.

He has been placed under house arrest for six months as prosecutors prepare their case against him. But the judge reviewing the case said there were holes in the evidence presented to him.

Lu said that the US$400,000 that Rodriguez allegedly received was aid requested by the Costa Rican government.

He said the money, which was supposed to be used for personnel training programs and international conferences, was sent to a foundation in Costa Rica.

He insisted the donation scandals would not affect ties with the Central American allies.

"We carry out cooperation projects with our allies for their long-term interest. Nothing will affect our ties with them," he said.

Meanwhile, in response to questions raised about dollar diplomacy, the foreign ministry invited law-makers on the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee to a briefing yesterday about its confidential budgets.