The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday denied a report saying it had given funds to Nicaragua's former president for his personal political gain.
"All forms of the ministry's aid to Nicaragua are designated for the government and its people and not for any individual," said ministry spokeswoman Katharine Chang (
Chang's remarks came in response to an AFP report which stated that funds from Taiwan had been deposited in an account held by former Nicaraguan president Arnoldo Aleman.
The report said that the "Bank of China [Taiwan]" had made deposits in an account held by Aleman and two associates in Panama under the name of the Nicaraguan Democratic Foundation, which is now being investigated for possible money laundering.
Quoting deputy prosecutor Maria Lourdes Bolanos, the report stated that evidence has shown the foundation received US$4.9 million between 2000 and last year, of which US$1.5 million came from the Bank of China. Some of the funds are believed to have been used illegally to fund the ruling Liberal Constitutionalist Party's campaign for last year's election, Bolanos said in the report.
But Chang said Nicaragua's elections are its own business.
"The ROC will never ever wade into Nicaragua's domestic elections or the affairs of its political parties," she said. "All aid provided by us is meant to help improve Nicaragua's national and overall well-being, such as services in educational, agricultural and medical areas."
Chang stressed that all forms of aid to Taiwan's allies are given on government-to-government terms and that such aid is not for any individual's use.
The ministry spokeswoman added that she has not heard of a bank that goes by the name "Bank of China [Taiwan]."
According to the report, current Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos has already urged lawmakers to strip his predecessor, who is now the speaker of the legislature, of his immunity so he can stand trial on charges that he laundered US$10 million during his five years as president.
The report added that allegations have also been made against another 14 people suspected of involvement in Aleman's alleged operation, including his brothers and his sister, his children as well as his private secretary, Alfredo Fernandez; .
Aleman was elected president in 1997 and left office this January.
RSS