Taiwan will continue its existing humanitarian aid and bilateral projects with the interim Honduran government, because ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya has been in exile for more than a month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.
Joseph Kuo (郭永樑), director-general of the ministry’s Department of Central and South American Affairs, made the remarks at a regular press briefing, saying that Honduran officials had approached the Taiwanese embassy in Honduras to discuss bilateral projects.
“In response to their inquiries, our stance is that in consideration of the welfare and benefit of the Honduran people, we will continue our existing humanitarian aid and cooperation projects there,” Kuo said.
Because of the political situation in Honduras, Kuo said MOFA has been paying close attention to developments, but will not take any stance on the issue because it is an internal affair.
“Ever since the incident occurred, we have been hoping that all parties concerned could hold a dialogue with open minds and political prudence and find a peaceful resolution based on a democratic and constitutional system, with the help of international organizations,” he said.
Zelaya, who has been in exile since being deposed one month ago by the Honduran military, is setting up bases in Nicaragua to continue to press for his return to office.
At present, negotiations between Zelaya and the Honduran interim government led by former congressional speaker Roberto Micheletti have hit a dead end despite international diplomacy, including the mediation of Costa Rican President Oscar Arias and other Central American presidents.
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