Wed, Sep 04, 2002 page3

• Chen vows to help Central American Parliament

  DIPLOMACY A visiting delegation from the body received assurances of a number of cooperative projects and enhanced bilateral exchanges from the president yesterday

  • By Lin Chieh-yu / STAFF REPORTER
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  President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday vowed that Taiwan would increase bilateral exchanges with the Parliament of Central America (PCA), saying that the government has agreed to a number of cooperative projects.

  "Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promised to assist the PCA by helping it modernize its information and data system and integrate the organization's political affairs data," President Chen told guests from the PCA at the Presidential Office.

  "We hope that the PCA maintains a sustainable level of development through these exchanges and cooperative projects."

  Chen said that Taiwan attaches great importance to enhancing its relationships with diplomatic allies in Central America, and that Taipei is continuously facilitating bilateral ties with the PCA, one of the most influential regional organizations in that part of the world.

  "The close ties between Taiwan and the Central American countries are based on common beliefs and expectations in democracy, human rights, freedom, peace, regional security and stability, as well as common interests in business and trade," Chen noted.

  "The ROC values and treasures the friendships with our allies in Central America, which we believe no one can tear asunder," the president said.

  Chen made the remarks while receiving a group of visiting delegates from the PCA at the Presidential Office.

  Chen said that member countries of the PCA, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, which is a permanent observer, are the nation's most trustworthy allies.

  "Since the ROC became a permanent observer at the PCA June 30, 1999, Taiwan has taken an active role in various PCA activities, including the International Tourism Cooperation Forum held in May this year."

  Rondrigo Samayoa Rivas, the speaker of the PCA, who is leading the PCA delegation in Taiwan, offered his deepest gratitude to the Taiwan government for its promise of financial aid to modernize the PCA headquarters' computer facility and fund a project to integrate its archives of political affairs.

  "Those two projects are important elements in upgrading the education levels in all Central American countries," Samayoa told the president.

  "And meanwhile, regional integration is the key factor in solving the issues of poverty and underdevelopment in Central America."

  Samayoa said he was told by the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the ministry would foot the bill based on the principle of reciprocity.

  Samayoa told President Chen that he would see to it that the PCA further enhances its ties with Taiwan and would continue to throw its support behind Taiwan in its bid to join international organizations.

  Other members of the visiting delegation included PCA Deputy Speaker Ramon Ricardo Martinelli, who is a Panamanian; PCA Deputy Speaker Martha McCoy Sanchez, who is a Nicaraguan; and PCA Deputy Speaker Rafael Castro Matos, who is a Dominican.

  The PCA was established by parliamentarians from El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama in a founding ceremony held in Guatemala City on Nov. 18, 1991.
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