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President networks with Central American leaders

President Chen Shui-bian, left, poses for a picture with his counterparts from Central America, from left to right, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, Salvadoran President Antonio Saca Gonzales and Guatemalan President Oscar Berger, in Managua on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) used his visit to attend the inauguration of Nicaraguan president-elect Daniel Ortega to hold meetings with leaders of the nation's other Central American allies.

Chen spent Wednesday morning conducting talks with outgoing Nicaraguan president Enrique Bolanos, as well as the heads of state of the nation's diplomatic allies Honduras, Belize and Panama.

Bolanos praised Taiwan's democratic achievements, and Chen invited Bolanos to visit the country after he finishes his term as Nicaraguan president.

Belizean Prime Minister Said Wilbert Musa told Chen that he hoped to visit Taiwan in April, after Chen extended an invitation to him at the meeting.

Musa said he was aware of the many difficulties Chen had faced last year, and that he hoped Chen could overcome them.

He pledged to firmly support Taiwan during his term as chairman of the System of Central American Integration (SICA), despite China's efforts to seek assistance from other members to participate in SICA activities.

The Belizean prime minister also emphasized his country's continuing support for Taiwan's bids to join international organizations such as the UN and WHO.

Honduran President Manuel Zelaya reiterated his country's support for Taiwan and expressed the hope that the two countries would be able to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) soon.

Chen said that the pact could be inked during the first half of this year.

He also invited Panamanian President Martin Torrijos to visit Taiwan, saying that Torrijos could come for a ride on the nation's first bullet train system.

In the afternoon, Chen met Costa Rican President Oscar Arias.

Chen said that Taiwan, which is a member of APEC, would be happy to help Costa Rica realize its dream of becoming the first country in Central America to gain access to the economic bloc.

Arias said that the Costa Rican parliament had passed a resolution to sign an FTA with Taiwan and hoped that the Taiwanese legislature would make a similar declaration soon.
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