Embassy staff in Haiti are doing their utmost to build communication channels with the new Haitian government and keep bilateral diplomatic relations intact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
Spokesman Richard Shih (石瑞琦) said no effort was being spared in seeking close contact with the new Haitian leadership after former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigned and fled the country on Monday. Boniface Alexandre, Aristide's constitutional successor, was sworn in as interim president on Monday.
Shih made the remarks after reporters asked whether the entry of UN peacekeeping forces into Haiti would have the same adverse impact on Taiwan's diplomatic ties as the entry of UN troops into Liberia last October.
Taiwan and Liberia severed formal diplomatic ties shortly after UN troops were deployed to the western African nation.
Shih said the government would continue to bolster bilateral ties with the new Haitian government after the situation stabilizes.
Taiwan has maintained formal diplomatic relations with Haiti for 47 years.
Shih added that members of the agricultural and engineering missions in Haiti, who were evacuated to the neighboring Dominican Republic last week amid the upheaval, would return when it was safe to do so.
At present, Shih said, more than 10 Taiwanese, including five embassy staff, remain in Haiti.
Meanwhile, the government would continue all bilateral projects with Haiti once the situation there had stabilized, Shih said.
Shipments of rice, which have been promised by the government, will be delivered to Haiti once order is restored, he said.
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