In other developments, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday said the government was considering ways to express the nation’s sympathies to Haiti and would decide within a few days whether he should visit the Dominican Republic next week, when he is scheduled to make a state visit to Honduras.
“Haiti is one of 23 allies that have maintained long-tem relations with us. We would feel bad about visiting a nearby country without showing our support,” Ma said in Changhua County.
The Presidential Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they were considering the option of arranging for Ma to visit the Dominican Republic.
Ma is scheduled to visit Honduras from Jan. 25 to Jan. 30 to attend the inauguration of president-elect Porfirio Lobo Sosa.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JIMMY CHUANG AND STAFF WRITER



