Jun 02, 2004

Taiwan: El Salvador vows to back Taiwan presence in world community


Salvadoran President-elect Elias Antonio Saca said on Tuesday that he will direct his administration to fully support Taiwan's presence in the international community
Untitled Document Salvadoran President-elect Elias Antonio Saca said on Tuesday that he will direct his administration to fully support Taiwan's presence in the international community.

Saca made the pledge while meeting Vice President Annette Lu, who arrived in San Salvador on Sunday to attend Saca's June 1 inauguration on behalf of President Chen Shui-bian.

To express his appreciation for Taiwan's long-term assistance to El Salvador, Saca received the ROC delegation on the eve of his inauguration.

He assured Lu that during his term, he will direct all officials in his administration to speak for Taiwan's cause in the international arena, such as voicing support for its bid to join the United Nations at the annual U.N. General Assembly.

Moreover, Saca said he will treasure the longstanding friendship between the two countries and will further boost bilateral cooperation in agricultural, technological and many other fields.

For her part, Lu forwarded a congratulatory letter from Chen to Saca and invited him to visit Taiwan to discuss more concrete economic cooperative projects. Saca accepted the invitation and promised to visit Taiwan as soon as possible after assuming office.

Lu also invited Saca to attend the second Democratic Pacific Conference to be held in Taipei on August 14.

Later in the day, Lu met with Salvadoran Vice President-elect Ana Vilma Albanez de Escobar to exchange views on measures to promote bilateral cooperation in cultural and women's affairs. Escobar is the first woman to serve as El Salvador's vice president. Lu also invited Escobar to attend the second Democratic Pacific Conference in Taipei.

"You are welcome to visit Taipei for the conference and you can take advantage of the visit to meet with Taiwan business executives to attract them to invest in El Salvador, as well as to explore possible trade and joint-venture deals," Lu said.

On Monday, Lu met with outgoing Salvadoran President Francisco Guillermo Flores Perez and outgoing Vice President Quintanilla. Flores praised Chen's May 20 inaugural speech. He also told Lu that Saca shares his feelings for Taiwan. "Saca has promised to continue support for Taiwan's bid to join major international organizations such as the World Health Organization," Flores said.

Lu's busy itinerary for Monday also included delivering a speech at El Salvador's National Science and Technology University and a visit to a residential community in Chanmico City on the outskirts of San Salvador, which was built in 2001 by Taiwan's largest charity -- The Buddhist Compassionate Relief Tzu Chi Foundation -- after two strong earthquakes wreaked havoc there.

After a two-day transit stop in Las Vegas, Lu arrived in San Salvador on Sunday evening at the head of a large delegation to attend Saca's inauguration.


Source: Central News Agency