Annette Lu may visit El Salvador later this year

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) may visit El Salvador in September or October this year, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) told that nation's vice president yesterday.

El Salvadorian Vice President Carlos Qunitanilla invited Chen to attend the annual summit between Taiwan and seven Central American allies, to be held in San Salvador next year.

In response, Chen said Annette Lu is tentatively planning to visit El Salvador later this year.

Aides from the vice president's office in Taipei said they were not aware Lu had such plans and said the proposed visit may be something she discussed with Chen in private.

David Lee (李大維), vice minister of foreign affairs, also said he didn't know of plans for such a visit.

Taiwan's new government is stepping up its diplomatic offensive against China, with Chen's global-trotting across Central America and Africa, and Lu following up with a scheduled unofficial trip to South Africa in October, which could possibly be coupled with a visit to El Salvador.

Five Central American countries including El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras all celebrate their national day on Sept. 15.

Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), speaker of the Legislative Yuan, represented Taiwan in the five countries' national day celebrations last year.