President Chen Says Nicaragua Decides to Maintain Ties With Taiwan

Text of report by Wen Kuei-hsiang and Y.F. Low, carried in English by Taiwanese Central News Agency website

Managua, 9 January: The Nicaraguan government to be formed by President-elect Daniel Ortega has decided to maintain diplomatic relations with the Republic of China [ROC], President Chen Shui- bian said in the Nicaraguan capital Tuesday [9 January].

Ortega disclosed the information while receiving Chen’s delegation, who is in the Central American country to attend Ortega’s inauguration slated for Wednesday, Chen told Taiwan reporters.

Nicaragua severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan at the start of Ortega’s first term in 1985. In the run-up to the latest election, Ortega and his Sandinista party expressed the intention of forging diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China [PRC].

Chen noted that the Sandinista party maintains very close exchanges and interaction with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and that representatives of both parties also met in Mexico to discuss the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations between their countries.

Despite Beijing’s desire to restore diplomatic ties with Nicaragua, Ortega’s administration has decided to continue diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Chen said.

Ortega told Chen that the Sandinista party will continue to maintain contact with the CCP and that the Nicaraguan government also welcome the PRC to set up a trade office in Nicaragua.

Also during the meeting, Ortega expressed hope that Nicaragua and Taiwan will strengthen their cooperation after the new government is formed, Chen said.

Describing his visit to Nicaragua as a precious opportunity for Taiwan to consolidate its friendship and substantial cooperation with its diplomatic allies in Central America and the Caribbean region, Chen said he will hold talks Wednesday and Thursday with heads of state of these diplomatic allies who are also in Nicaragua to attend Ortega’s inauguration.

Meanwhile, Chen said Nicaraguan Vice-President-elect Jaime Morales mentioned during the meeting with the Taiwan delegation the new government’s plan to convert the presidential palace into a “home of Taiwan” for disadvantaged groups in Nicaragua.

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