The US State Department has confirmed that it has given permission for President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) plane to land in the US and refuel on its way to and from Central America this week.
Asked about the flight at a press briefing on Friday, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said: “We approved President Ma’s request based on longstanding practice. Our decision is consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan and in keeping with the criteria of safety, comfort, convenience and dignity of travel.”
TWO CITIES
“[Ma] will transit San Francisco en route to Central America and Los Angeles when returning to Taipei,” he said.
Crowley also confirmed that the US allowed a Taiwanese Hercules C-130, which was participating in the rescue operations in Haiti, to refuel in the US.
“Certainly that is consistent not only with our philosophy but also with the importance of supporting the operation in Haiti,” he said.
FIRST LADY
However, Crowley appeared to avoid a question about a possible visit to Washington by first lady Chow Mei-ching (周美青).
Pressed about the possible visit, Crowley said: “As to who is traveling with President Ma, I’ll defer to the Taiwanese government.”
Crowley said he did not believe that Ma would conduct any public or media events while in the US, but that he would be greeted in San Francisco and in Los Angeles by Raymond Burghardt, chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan — the US Government department that handles unofficial relations with Taiwan.
Asked if granting the landing permission was part of a greater understanding with China, Crowley said: “It’s part of our broad dialogue.”
On a visit to Central America last year, Ma was given permission to stay overnight in the US and hold a number of private meetings. Ma did not make any public appearances during that trip.
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